Adham Hamza

Appetite for life

Persistent brain cancer hasn’t suppressed 7-year-old Adham Hamza’s insatiable appetite for life. Hooked up to an IV undergoing his biweekly chemotherapy treatment at Children’s Hospital’s Craycroft Cancer Center, the youngster from Turlock enthusiastically declares his plan to run an international restaurant on a cruise ship some day.

“I want a chef for each type of cuisine and to feed a million people for free!” says Adham excitedly, gesturing with his little hands how big his dream really is.

Children’s pediatric hematologists/oncologists are doing everything possible to help Adham reach his dream – and more.

Brain tumor expertise essential to care

A benign tumor the size of a small plum has nestled in the middle of Adham’s head since he was a baby. Despite multiple chemotherapy combinations, the tumor had progressed. Fortunately, lately it has remained relatively stable – and his caregivers want to keep it that way, at least until he becomes an adult. That’s because the type of pediatric brain cancer Adham has tends to stop growing – and is less likely to become life-threatening – when the child comes of age.

“We’re essentially in a race against time,” says pediatric neuro-oncologist Dr. David Samuel, who is specially trained in treating children with brain cancers and oversees Adham’s care. “We’re trying to hold off as long as possible on surgery that can be risky due to the location of Adham’s tumor and radiation treatment that can have long-term effects on his health.”

“We feel very comfortable at Children’s,” says Areeje Hamza, Adham’s mom, as she sits with her son in the Craycroft playroom with other oncology patients. “Dr. Samuel’s expertise with brain tumors is very reassuring. You see right away how passionate he is about what he does and his interest to help kids. He knows his stuff.”

Adham agrees whole-heartedly. Imitating how Dr. Samuel squeezes his arm muscle, Adham says, “He tells me how strong I am! He’s really smart and talks to everybody. I want him for my doctor forever!”

Brain and nervous system cancers are the second most common cancers in children, making up about 25 percent of pediatric cancers. Gliomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumors. Adham was diagnosed with the most common glioma (astrocytoma), which can occur in most parts of the brain and occasionally the spinal cord.

Part of a larger care team

Craycroft is one of the leading pediatric cancer centers on the West Coast and the only provider of pediatric oncology services in the region. As a member of Children’s Oncology Group (COG), Craycroft has access to the latest studies and treatment plans. COG is a research collaborative of about 235 medical institutions that works to identify cancer causes and pioneer new therapies and cures.

Over the years Adham has had difficulty tolerating certain therapies. He is responding well to his current treatment, including reduced sickness and an improved appetite – unusually good signs for a cancer patient. “Adham’s a big eater,” says Areeje. “He talks about food all the time.”

In addition to chemotherapy, Dr. Samuel coordinates Adham’s care with other pediatric subspecialists as needed, including endocrinologists for hormonal issues related to the position of the tumor in his brain; ophthalmologists to protect Adham’s vision in his left eye (his right eye is blind); and neurosurgeons for the shunt that drains excess fluid from his brain. Adham receives a MRI under anesthesia at Children’s every three months to see if the tumor is shrinking.

Despite some complications, Adham does well in school and enjoys being active. In fact, he already knows or is learning four languages – Arabic, English, Spanish and French – all of which are sure to come in handy with his giant world-cuisine restaurant ambition. “I like talking to different people,” says Adham, smiling. After a short pause, he looks intently. “And you are going to come to my restaurant, aren’t you?” he says, extending his hand to “shake on it.”

We can’t wait.