Aubriella Hope was born with a sacrococcygeal teratoma (a tumor at the coccyx (tail) bone). Initially we were under the impression that it was completely external but after an MRI we were told the teratoma had traveled up her spine. There are no other documented cases where it has done this. The external portion of the tumor was removed a few days after birth (weighing a little over 2lbs) but the spinal portion is inoperable. Her tumor was also benign, so chemo couldn’t be used to remove the spinal portion either. Thankfully, Aubriella has shown no signs of compression of the spine and she is able to walk and run like a normal three year old. She has been followed since birth by Dr Ranalli and Dr Aldrink, both of whom are absolutely amazing! She has recently been switched from trimonthly MRIs to MRIs every 6 months! She is starting a bowel management program in hopes of getting a hold on some problems caused by nerve damage from the tumor. Overall, Aubriella is a happy, healthy 3 year old that you would never be able to tell has a tumor going half way up her spine!

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• Name: Aubriella W.Aubriella Winner
• Condition(s): Sacrococcygeal teratoma
• Age at Treatment: Birth
• Age Today: 06/07/201310 Years

Aubriella Hope was born with a sacrococcygeal teratoma (a tumor at the coccyx (tail) bone). Initially we were under the impression that it was completely external but after an MRI we were told the teratoma had traveled up her spine. There are no other documented cases where it has done this. The external portion of the tumor was removed a few days after birth (weighing a little over 2lbs) but the spinal portion is inoperable. Her tumor was also benign, so chemo couldn’t be used to remove the spinal portion either. Thankfully, Aubriella has shown no signs of compression of the spine and she is able to walk and run like a normal three year old. She has been followed since birth by Dr Ranalli and Dr Aldrink, both of whom are absolutely amazing! She has recently been switched from trimonthly MRIs to MRIs every 6 months! She is starting a bowel management program in hopes of getting a hold on some problems caused by nerve damage from the tumor. Overall, Aubriella is a happy, healthy 3 year old that you would never be able to tell has a tumor going half way up her spine!