Teen's rare brain cancer returned after 4 years. Then doctors made a baffling discovery about his brother
A cancer diagnosis is hard on the patient, as well as their families. It takes every member's love, prayers and hopes to get through the strenuous treatments, procedures and recovery. A 14-year-old Sergio was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer and was being treated for it in 2021, the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles reported. When he was finally free of the illness, his mother, Rosalba, never wanted to return. Unfortunately, in October 2024, the teenager’s cancer came back. They had to return for treatment and go through it all a second time. Sergio’s younger brother, Andy, was with him as a supportive pillar until doctors made an unbelievable discovery.
The teenager was experiencing vomiting and other symptoms for quite some time before he was diagnosed with a tumor. Sergio had a rare cancer called germinoma. The Cleveland Clinic revealed that it is a germ cell tumor formed in the brain. Only 3% of pediatric brain tumors are of this type. Ashley Margol, MD, MS, Director of the Brain Tumor Center, explained, “For germinomas, you really need a center with multiple specialists who see a high volume of pediatric neuro-oncology patients.” After chemotherapy, radiation and procedures that left the family exhausted, they were happy to go home after removing the tumor.
Unfortunately, a few years later, Sergio was back at the hospital being treated for the same cancer all over again. Around the same time, Andy started experiencing troubling symptoms and his mom rushed him to a pediatrician. While his blood reports were normal, he was recommended an MRI. Andy was asked to consult a specialist and the mom was taken aback. “As soon as I heard that doctor’s name, I knew it was cancer again,” she recalled. Andy was diagnosed with the same cancer Sergio had. Taking him to the Center where his older brother was being treated, the mom had so many doubts and confusion in her heart.
“We don't yet know why these two got it. We think there's probably some underlying genetic reason, but research hasn’t yet identified the cause for these patients,” Margol explained. Nevertheless, the road ahead was clear — chemotherapy, radiation and procedures for both brothers. Every dark cloud has its silver lining and so did the brothers’ story. Since Sergio had been through it all the first time, he was happy to be a support for his brother. “When I went through treatment the first time, I felt kind of blindsided. I’d never even had an MRI before. I didn’t know the terminology or anything, so I wanted to share as much as I could with Andy,” he explained.
Seeing the duo battle their illness as one, the mom was rekindled with hope. “He just hugged Andy and told him everything was gonna be okay. I think that really helped Andy to believe everything would be okay,” Rosalba remarked. Wanting to be a “role model,” Sergio did his best to help Andy. “He would tell me what the doctors are gonna do and then help me to calm down,” the younger one recalled. The duo battled cancer together, fueling the staff and themselves with a new strength. Finally, Sergio completed his treatment in March 2025. A few months later, Andy was cancer-free too.
The boys are still recovering, getting their energy back, along with routine follow-ups and checks. However, the experience has brought them closer than ever, ready to stand for each other no matter what. “It was this incredibly hard thing they both went through together, so it was amazing to see them both ring the bell. It was a relief for all of us,” the mom said.
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