Schoolboy, 15, could have months to live after GPs mistook his symptoms for asthma

A “fit and healthy” schoolboy faces just months to live after doctors initially dismissed his breathlessness as asthma. Jude Hazard, 15, says he “just wants things to go back to normal” after his shock diagnosis, while mum Katie, 39, has commended her “strong, courageous boy.” Pictured, Jude with his family. He visited the GP surgery after suddenly becoming short of breath Credit: SWNS Jude Hazard, 15, was initially prescribed an inhaler by his GP Credit: SWNS Jude visited his GP surgery earlier this year and was prescribed an inhaler after suddenly becoming short of breath doing everyday activities like walking up the stairs. But, despite trying four different inhalers, his symptoms failed to subside and his concerned parents took him to Sunderland Hospital. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Here, scans tragically revealed he had a large 8cm tumour on the back of his heart and he was diagnosed with intimal sarcoma – a rare form of vascular cancer. Doctors have told Jude’s family that his cancer is so rare it is estimated to affect only one or two in 100 million people, typically adults. Jude, from Silksworth, in Sunderland has since had the tumour removed. However, there are no other treatment options available in the UK to kill the remaining cancer in the lining of his left atrium in his heart, his family say. Now, Jude is crowdfunding for potentially life-saving treatment, which is only available in Japan or the US. Without treatment, he may only have months left to live. Most read in Health Scans revealed that Jude had a huge 8cm tumour on the back of his heart Credit: SWNS Everything you need to know about intimal sarcoma Intimal sarcoma is a very rare sarcoma cancer. It usually grows inside large blood vessels. It more commonly grows in the pulmonary artery, which is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. Researchers think intimal sarcoma starts when there are too many copies of certain genes in the cells. This is called gene amplification. But, they are still trying to find out why this happens and whether gene amplification is a cause. Symptoms of intimal sarcoma can vary depending on the size and location of the tumour. You may have all, some, or none of these symptoms before you are diagnosed. If the tumour is in the pulmonary artery, you may have: shortness of breath pain in the chest or back a cough that does not go away coughing up blood light-headedness and fainting If the tumour is in the heart or aorta, you may have: pain in the arms or legs problems with your heart rhythm pain in the chest, back or stomach tiredness shortness of breath high blood pressure. As intimal sarcoma is very rare, it is commonly misdiagnosed as conditions of the heart and blood vessels. For example, it can be wrongly diagnosed as blood clots, embolisms, or atherosclerosis. Source: Sarcoma UK “I am feeling okay at the moment,” Jude says. “I just want everything to go back to normal so I can continue to just live my life as I used to do. “I am currently enjoying my time with friends.” His mum Katie Hazard, 39, said the surgeons and doctors have all said what a “strong, courageous boy” her son is. “Jude is well liked and a very sociable kid,” she says. “He loves nothing more than being out with friends, eating out and loves good food. “He attends the gym daily, and is such a bright boy, loving, generous, caring and a thoughtful young man. “We are just so grateful to everyone who has supported us through a GoFundMe page.” Jude has had the tumour removed, but there are no other treatment options available in the UK to kill the remaining cancer Credit: SWNS Intimal sarcoma is a very rare sarcoma cancer that usually grows inside large blood vessels. It more commonly grows in the pulmonary artery, which is the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. According to Sarcoma UK, it can also grow in the heart or the aorta. The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is most common in adults aged 40 to 65. Jude’s cousin Shaun Ward, 36, says: “The doctors said they have never seen a case in a child, which shows how rare it [intimal sarcoma] is.” The electrician said the family were “heartbroken” when they were told of the diagnosis. Jude was then blue-lighted to Freeland Hospital, in Newcastle, where he underwent five-hour emergency surgery to remove the tumour. But tragically, they weren’t able to remove the tumour fully, with parts of it still in his left atrium lining. Pictured, Jude with Dad Daniel and sibling Mason Credit: SWNS Jude’s family have raised more than £74,000 on GoFundMe for treatment options abroad Credit: SWNS Shaun says Jude is currently recovering and is feeling “positive” about the prospect of further treatment. He adds: “He is feeling a lot better and is enjoying hanging out with his friends. “As a family, we are just happy to have found it when we did as who knows how much longer it could have been until he stopped breathing.” To date, Jude’s family have raised more than £74,000 on their GoFundMe page for treatment options abroad. The family have said they have approached the hospitals and are waiting to hear back. They are aiming to raise £75,000 to ensure they can get started with the treatment. Shaun says: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of support the community has shown us over the past couple of weeks. “We are all hoping Jude can get back to normal soon.” Shaun will also be completing the Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Jude in September. Comment now