Mark's Journey in His Fight Against DSRCT

Mark DeWalle: Champion of Life

Mark's Courses of Treatment
November 2003: discovered testicular lump
December 2003: Removal of testicular mass, resection. Initial pathology was PNET tumor
January 2004: Reviewed pathology by MD Anderson, Barnes-Jewish Hospital showed
diagnosis DSRCT. PET and CT scans negative

January - July 2004: P6 chemotherapy protocol. Tolerated well. No neutropenic crisis.

Required blood transfusion twice during therapy. Scan in May negative
August 2004: CT scan negative
December 2004: CT scan negative
April 2005: CT scan negative
August 2005: CT scan negative
December 2005: CT scan negative
December 2006: CT scan shows tumor growth in omentum over liver, spleen, colon
January 2006: Ascites present. Tumor growth acclerated during first week Jan. Mark
received Cytoxan in reduced dose along with Vincristine. Due to poor
kidney function, unable to receive Topetecan. Mark started on Sutent
Developed severe RSV.
January 30, 2007: Chemo #2 Cytoxan, Vincristine, Topetecan
February 8-20th: Hospitalized for neutropenic fevers. low blood count, low platelets
CT Scan shows significant decrease in size of tumors.
Feb 26th: 3rd dose of chemo: Cytoxan, Vincristine, Topetecan. Required two blood
transfusions one week following chemo
Feb 26th: Fourth round of Cytoxan, Vincristine, Topetecan
Feb 27: CT scan done in am revealed no tumors at liver, spleen but colon tumors larger
noted in early February. Chemo changed to Ironetecan, Temador. Sutent resumed.
April 18, 2007: Dr. Tan unable to palpate any abdominal mass. Platelet count too low to
start chemo this week. Continues on 28 day cycle of Sutent 50mg daily.
April 25, 2007: Irinotecan given. Temador not available to us at this time. Mark is pretty sick from the side effects of Irinotecan (see blog archives)
May 7, 2007: CT scan done. Signficant improvement since last scan!!! Dr. Tan states that this is the best time to plan surgery
May 14, 2007: Consultation with Dr. Fleshman. Must be off IV chemo for one month before and one month after surgery. Is to continue to take Sutent, however. Surgery scheduled for 5.29.07

For more information on Mark's therapy, please email Barb at Barba21885@aol.com

Mark was first diagnosed with cancer in December 2003. After having surgery for what was believed to be a testicular tumor, Mark and his family were presented with the news that Mark's cancer was of a type that is more difficult to treat. Scans following surgery showed no remnants of cancer. Mark underwent aggressive chemotherapy during the first half of 2004. He completed the chemotherapy and was clear until he had a routine scan December 27, 2006....and now his journey continues.

"Just going to take a little off of the top, Uncle Mark"

This time around we knew we had to prepare a 4 year old for some changes to come. Mark agreed that a good plan would be to have John help Michael shave Mark's head. He was interested in it for awhile. Danny and Michael love Uncle Mark and whenever they are visiting, always make sure Uncle Mark has the morning paper, a juice box and maybe a donut. Sometimes Uncle Mark is awake and treats them to candy or some SpongeBob Cheese Crackers.

Mark's Oncologist
Dr. Benjamin Tan
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Siteman Center
Center for Advanced Medicine
(click picture for physician profile)

Mark's Surgeon
Dr. James Fleshman
Center for Advanced Medicine
GI Center
(click picture for physician profile)

About DSRCT

     Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma. It is an aggressive and rare tumor that primarily occurs as multiple masses in the abdomen. There are no known risk factors specific to the disease. Research has indicated that there is a relationship between DSRCT and Wilm's tumor and Ewing's sarcoma.
     There are few early warning signs that indicate a person may have DSRCT. Victims are usually young, healthy and the tumors grow and spread uninhibited within the abdominal cavity. By practicing self testicular exams, Mark was able to discover his disease very early. Because this is a rare tumor not many physicians oroncologists are familiar with the disease. DSRCT in young patients may be mistaken for other abdominal tumors such as ovarian tumors in females and testicular tumors in males.
     Treatment for DSRCT requires aggressive treatment. Recent journals and studies have reported that some victims respond to high dose (P6) chemotherapy, debulking operations, and radiation therapy. Other treatments include stem cell rescue, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion.

A good online resource for desmoplastic small round cell can be found at Http://www.dsrct.com . This website not only gives a listing of current patients being treated for this disease, but offers a message board for numerous concerns and questions to be addressed.

Drew Brockmeyer designed and made these bracelets available.The bracelets of course have a golf design.They sell for $2.50 a piece but are given to all those that participate in any of the fundraising events. Please show support for Mark and wear a bracelet!! Email us (Barba21885@aol.com) and we will get one to you.

Hanging around with Uncle Mark and sometimes getting him to give us candy.