Gabriella Rose Tuono was born on May 10, 2007. She was born full term and was a healthy baby at birth. Gabriella was diagnosed with Primitive Myxoid Mesenchymal Tumor of Infancy (PMMTI) when she was 2-months-old. Doctors originally believed she had an abnormal cyst forming inside her tongue. After close examinations, doctors were able to rightfully state that she did in fact have cancer.

Currently Gabriella gets chemotherapy each week, has had 3 biopsies done, many transfusions to replenish her blood supply, and has monthly MRI's taken to monitor the formation of the tumor. She has undergone 1 surgery, which took out 95% of her tumor, before chemotherapy was suggested. The 5% that was left began to grow rapidly. Doctors are now watching the tumor with a close eye to see the changes it may endure. She will need another surgery in the near future to take out the remnants of the tumor. Gabriella will also have speech therapy to allow her tongue to strengthen enough to form words.

Primitive Myxoid Mesenchymal Tumor of Infancy is a cancerous mass found in soft tissue. Gabriella is only the 7th known case in the world to have this rare tumor. According to the American Journal of Surgical Pathology, it is believed that PMMTI is a new category of pediatric fibroblastic-myofibroblastic tumors.

Gabby is loved dearly by her young parents, Rachel (23) and Gabe (26). They stand by her every step of the way.

You may read more about Gabby through her CaringBridge site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/gabriellatuono

Written by Rachel Fischer, Gabriella’s Mom
04/09