New Hope from Clinical Trial for Teen with Returning Cancer
The family of Ethan, a 14-year-old boy whose cancer returned shortly after he was declared cancer-free, say a new clinical trial provides their son "a fighting chance".
Ethan was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, a rapidly progressing form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (nHL), in January. He received treatment at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital and experienced "two weeks of relative normality" at home in May after completing chemotherapy and ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment.
However, when Ethan began experiencing pain again, tests confirmed the cancer had returned aggressively.
He has now been accepted into a clinical trial for a novel treatment, with his family committed to doing "everything we can" to support him.
Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
Ethan's father, Lloyd Griffiths, 56, from Maesteg, described his son, who is passionate about sports and gaming, as being in "constant pain" by December 2025 and having lost 10kg (22lb).
"The poor lad was rushed to hospital two days after his fourteenth birthday,"
said Lloyd, explaining that Ethan underwent emergency surgery to remove part of his bowel on 13 January.
After just over a week of recovery at home, the family received a call from the hospital.
"We were walking the dog and reasonably happy and hopeful Ethan would make a full recovery and get on with his life,"
recalled Lloyd.
However, a biopsy of Ethan's bowel tissue revealed the presence of cancer.
"That drive back to the hospital was horrendous,"
said Lloyd, describing the "immeasurable stress" as they faced uncertainty about their son's future.
Chemotherapy and Initial Remission
Over the next four months, Ethan underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, achieving his first cancer-free result after the fifth round.
"We were buzzing at that point,"
said Lloyd.
On 15 May, Ethan rang the bell at Noah's Ark to signify the end of his cancer treatment.
The following Friday, he celebrated with his rugby and school friends at Bridgend Athletic RFC by ringing a specially engraved bell.
"It was emotional in front of people he'd been playing rugby with for three years, and the close friends he'd made through that,"
said Lloyd.
Ethan, who also plays as a striker for Llangynwyd Rangers, spent the weekend enjoying time with friends and returning to his usual activities, including "lots of Xbox," according to his father.
"We had two weeks of relative normality,"
said Lloyd.
Relapse and New Challenges
Subsequently, Ethan began experiencing pain and abdominal swelling.
Tests revealed the cancer had returned aggressively, causing fluid accumulation on his lungs and difficulty breathing.
Lloyd explained that relapses of Burkitt Lymphoma can be resistant to treatment, but a clinical trial offered renewed hope.
"The children's hospital in Bristol has an ongoing clinical trial specifically for Burkitt's lymphoma relapses, so the timing is good,">said Lloyd.
"It's the flip of a coin, but it gives him a fighting change,"
he added, noting that the trial has a 50% chance of benefiting Ethan.
Details of the Clinical Trial
The trial, conducted across the UK in Bristol, Birmingham, and Manchester, investigates two targeted drugs for children and young people with B-cell nHL that is either treatment-resistant or has relapsed.
Participants receive one of the two drugs combined with modified chemotherapy.
Ethan began his new chemotherapy regimen at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children on Thursday.
His cancer was classified as stage three and has not spread to his bones or nervous system.
"You have to focus on the positive in these situations, even small wins,"
said Lloyd.
"You have take them where you find them."
Lloyd reported that Ethan's spirits remain good, and his mother Rusann and two older sisters are staying nearby in family accommodation at the hospital.
Community Support and Future Plans
Bridgend Athletic has organized a fundraiser to support the family.
Lloyd stated that if the experimental treatment in Bristol is unsuccessful, he will explore other treatment options abroad.
"We will do everything we can for our boy,"
he affirmed.
"Ethan is a quiet 14-year-old boy and I have so much admiration for him after what's he's been through."
