British girl, 5, struggling to laugh, sneeze diagnosed with rare brain tumour

LONDON: A five-year-old girl, described by her parents as a “little firecracker,” is battling an ultra-rare brain tumour, defying the odds after receiving a 12-month prognosis.

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Rosie Hassall, from Cheshire, began experiencing severe headaches and unusual eye movements in November 2024.

Initially, doctors suspected migraines, a condition that runs in the family. However, Rosie's symptoms worsened.

Her head pain became so intense that she struggled to cry, laugh, or even sneeze. A subsequent eye test revealed suspected nerve damage, leading to an MRI scan.

Just three days before Christmas, the devastating diagnosis arrived: a kiwi-sized brain tumour. A biopsy confirmed the tumour was cancerous, inoperable, and incredibly aggressive, likely developing within days or weeks.

Rosie's parents, Charlotte and Stefan Hassall, both 36, were told their daughter's prognosis was nine to 12 months.

The rarity of her condition makes the prognosis uncertain, prompting the family to share their story to raise awareness and potentially help others facing similar battles.

They cling to the hope that Rosie will defy the odds and “prove doctors wrong.”

The family’s ordeal began with seemingly innocuous symptoms, highlighting the importance of persistent medical attention when faced with unexplained health concerns.

“Rosie is a fighter, we can see how much she has fought since she’s had this and I'm hoping that she proves them wrong and they can learn off her,” Charlotte told PA Real Life.