THE family of a North-East schoolboy who is battling a difficult-to-treat form of brain cancer have been given new hope.

Cameron Stewart, 12, from Darlington, had a brain tumour the size of a fist removed by surgeons last December, 24 hours after doctors diagnosed a dangerous condition called pilocytic astrocytomas.

Surgeons at Newcastle General Hospital removed most of the large tumour, but were unable to remove all of the cancerous tissue.

The slow-growing condition, which is the commonest form of childhood brain cancer, is currently only treatable through surgery, but because of its position in the brain, it is often difficult or impossible to operate.

Now scientists have discovered that a drug being used to treat a malignant form of skin cancer may also be effective against astrocytomas.

A team of British and American researchers, funded by the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, Cancer Research UK, have discovered that a particular type of genetic abnormality may be responsible for astrocytomas.

The scientists say the study is significant because it suggests that the first successful chemotherapy for these tumours might be developed from drugs also being tested on malignant melanoma and other cancers.

Experts believe it could take another three to five years to confirm whether the new form of chemotherapy could be used to treat astrocytomas.

Cameron’s mother, Sue Stewart, said the news was fantastic.

Mrs Stewart, 43, said the family were hoping that this promising new approach to treatment could be become available on the NHS within a few years.

Currently, the only alternative to surgery is radiotherapy, she added.

“When they realised that the surgery had not got all of the cancer they wanted to operate again, but they have decided it is too dangerous because of where it is,” said Mrs Stewart, who works at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College.

Since having surgery Cameron, who attends the school where his mother works, had become less outgoing and more withdrawn, she added.

In March, Cameron, who has grown his hair long to hide his surgical scars, was presented with a Shrievalty award for bravery by the High Sheriff of Durham.

At the time he told The Northern Echo: “I don’t really talk about my illness and just try to ignore it.”

Cameron’s father, Alastair, works in the petrochemical industry. He has an older brother, Jake, aged 14.