- Claudia Burkill was diagnosed with metastatic pineoblastoma aged five
- Her parents were told several times Claudia only had a short time to live
- After undergoing experimental treatment, she is now cancer free
- The eight-year-old is the first in the world to beat metastatic pineoblastoma
15:29 EST, 10 June 2014
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15:29 EST, 10 June 2014
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An eight-year-old girl who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, has become the first person in the world to overcome her illness.
Claudia Burkill, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, had been battling metastatic pineoblastoma since the age of five, and her parents were told on several occasions she only had weeks left.
However, parents Andrea and David were told the good news this weekend – exactly three years to the day since Mrs Burkill first phoned a hospital about her daughter’s health.
Smiling again: Claudia, aged eight, pictured with her mother Andrea Burkill, is the first person in the world to beat deadly cancer metastatic pineoblastoma
Long journey: Claudia, pictured now and before the cancer struck, was diagnosed at the age of five
Metastatic pineoblastoma is an extremely rare form of cancer and has a survival rate of less than five per cent worldwide.
Claudia underwent an experimental Italian treatment at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, involving 44 gruelling sessions of radiotherapy.
Writing on her daughter’s Facebook page ‘Claudia’s Cause’ this weekend, Mrs Burkill said: ‘Claudia is cancer-free and no longer classed as terminally ill.
‘A miracle has happened, it really has. I just can’t stop shaking.’
Doctors only see three or four cases of metastatic pineoblastoma a year of the condition for which there is still no known cure.
Claudia first became ill in June 2011 when the family returned after a holiday and she began vomiting.
Happy family: Claudia with siblings, Zachery, Abigail and Esme and their father David
Against the odds: Claudia’s parents were told several times during the years of battling the brain cancer that their daughter only had weeks to live
Saved: Mrs Burkill wrote that she ‘could not stop shaking’ after doctors found Claudia to be completely cancer free this weekend and no longer terminally ill
After first being told she had a virus, a second visit to Lincoln County Hospital and several tests, including a CT-scan, a lumbar puncture and an MRI, saw doctors diagnose her with a squint.
Mrs
Burkill was not satisfied with the diagnosis and after having Claudia
transferred to Queens Medical Centre Nottingham, the lethal tumour was
found at the centre of her brain.
Over the following years, Mr and Mrs Burkill were told on four occasions that Claudia only had weeks to live and they had to start planning her funeral.
She is now no longer terminally ill and the latest MRI scan showed that Claudia is in the clear.
Although she has suffered some brain damage from the treatment, her family are positive that her health will continue to improve.
True fighter: Eight-year-old Claudia underwent an experimental Italian treatment at Nottingham Children¿s Hospital, involving 44 gruelling sessions of radiotherapy, before the cancer was gone
Mrs Burkill said: ‘We had lived with a terminal diagnosis with death believed to be imminent for a crazy 694 days.
‘Today
is the very first day in a very long time that I can look into the eyes
of our four stunning children and “know†that I don’t have to plan the
funeral of one of them in the very near future.’
She added: ‘Today is our first day of freedom, a freedom so far lost and forgotten.
‘The mere joy of being alive today far surpasses any other single day in my live so far.
‘There are no signs of any tumour, any leptomeningeal spread or any recurrent disease, anywhere.
‘We are the luckiest people in this world – Claudia is believed to be the very first little girl in the world ever to survive metastatic pineoblastoma.
‘She has paid a high price, we all have, however, she does have her life and we are dedicated to making the very best that it can be for her.
‘A life where she can experience love, joy and happiness in abundance and be cherished always.’
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.
Phil Osopher,
Glasgow, United Kingdom,
8 hours ago
Wonderful news. well done Claudia, you brave wee fighter, and to all those who made that possible. wishing u a long, happy, healthy life.
NuLabour-EU Despiser,
Helston, United Kingdom,
8 hours ago
Wonderful, fantastic, I have tears in my eyes.
doriss49,
middlesbrough,
8 hours ago
Have been following Claudias ups and downs for a few years via Andreas facebook page. This family are inspirational. Wishing you a happy and healthy future xxx
He1zbe11z,
London, United Kingdom,
8 hours ago
Oh my days, what a little fighter! You live a long and glorious life you beautiful and brave girl! What a heart-warming story. So happy for you! x
Darklord,
Earth, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
Delightful family, now lets get that treatment rolling out to all those who can benefit.
websleuth29,
Glasgow, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
I follow Claudias cause on Facebook and I had tears in my eyes reading her mums post about this. Miracles really do happen. Enjoy your life Claudia you certainly deserve to
nycvisitor,
Dambulla, Sri Lanka,
9 hours ago
After a long time, a brilliant heart warming article in DM. Reading this should brighten up anyone’s day.
james anthony,
Loughborough, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
Great to hear a heart warming story. Great Medical Achievement Hope she has a long and happy future.
Juliet,
JustSaying…,
9 hours ago
What lovely words from her mum at the end of the article. Well done, Claudia – I wish you and your family all the best for the future.
Trisha Bird,
notts, United Kingdom,
9 hours ago
I follow her Facebook page and it’s been horrible reading posts about her getting closer and closer to death… Reading this as blown me away… Wow live life and make up for all the time you lost.. Life is now for living… Have fun little Claudia ¿¿¿¿¿¿
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