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Teen’s brain tumor symptoms dismissed for over a year

Alex Costa-Veiga, 16, received a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a rare brain cancer, after doctors initially dismissed his morning sickness as anxiety for over a year. An optician visit revealed double vision, prompting an urgent transfer to Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Mom Melanie Costa-Veiga said, "For over a year, they were looking into food intolerances and stomach issues." When a consultant identified a "mass" during examination, the family realized the condition's severity had been masked by initial misidentification.
Surgeons performed a complex 10-hour operation to remove the tumor from his cerebellum after inserting a shunt to relieve brain pressure. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy caused side effects including speech difficulties, severe fatigue, and damage to his pituitary gland.
Now 16, Alex is sitting GCSEs in math, English Language, biology, geography, and religious studies while managing ongoing rehabilitation. Melanie said, "Alex has worked so hard and we are incredibly proud of all he has achieved."
"People think once the treatment ends it's over, but it's not. There's still a long road ahead," Melanie said, emphasizing ongoing challenges. Alex remains positive, hoping to study A-level biology, geography, and computer studies.

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