Newcastle, England – Cancer among children is rare, but among the types that are known to occur is the neuroblastoma. It is the second most common early childhood solid cancer and has a rate of 150 cases per year in the United Kingdom.
Perhaps that might account for why on six occasions physicians diagnosed little Kian Musgrove as having a bad viral infection when his entire body was covered in tumors. Aside from his hands and feet, the frightening black spots were to be found on his skull, spine, legs, and lymph nodes.
However, the story of little Kian has a happy ending. The 18-month-old fought through his illness and more importantly, the treatment. He endured 10 weeks of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Now, it appears his cancer is in full remission and if the photograph of the young man running merrily about is any indication, he has a long life ahead of him. Aside from a smooth bald head and a bandage wrapped about his left forearm, he looked vibrant and full of life. His 26-year-old mother Kat expressed her relief that the worst is now behind them.
The ordeal began without warning. Kian awoke like any other day except now he could not maintain his balance. He was running a fever. The initial checkup concluded he was merely teething and the x-rays did not reveal any trauma to his bones. Eight weeks later and still no improvement and Mrs. Musgrove had blood work drawn on him which revealed the cancer.