Teenager with Rare type of cancer fighting for her life.

I’m Alexandra Nicole Dasig, 17 years old, diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma of the Thoracic Spine.

It started when I was 12 years old, I was back bending and when I stood up I saw a lump on my back. When I got home, I told my mom and we went to an Orthopedic Surgeon. I was supposed to undergo Core Needle Biopsy but they were not able to continue with the procedure because they say the lump is too hard. The first doctor then told us that the tumor will just grow smaller until it will cure but itself

After two years we noticed that the lump grew bigger so we decided to go to another doctor of the same field. With this second doctor, I was able to undergo MRI and Core Needle Biopsy and was diagnosed with Osteochondroma. They were able to remove the tumor through Excision of Mass.

After a year, my aunt noticed that the lump grew back so we went back to the doctor. The MRI results showed five small tumors near the spine. The orthopedic surgeon told us that I would need to undergo surgery but due to lack of funds my mom decided to wait for my health insurance to be renewed. When my health insurance got renewed, the tumor grew rapidly and we were advised to go to another doctor. When we went back to my second doctor I already have difficulties in walking so I was admitted but the doctors told us that the operation will cost us 2 million pesos but we do not have money for the operation so we decided to transfer to a government hospital. When I got transferred to a government hospital, I was then diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma. Its a rare disease that only 2% it grows in teenagers and rarely grows on the spine.

Orthopedic surgeons referred us to Cancer Institute of Philippine General Hospital. Oncologist recommended Ewing Sarcoma approach for chemotherapy and radiation.Recently the doctors told us that the operation is not possible because it’s very risky and it will cause my life. We already asked hospitals in abroad however we do not have money to go there for treatment. I’m hoping to be cured and the tumor to be removed and live a normal life.