Three-year-old’s battle to save her sight with 14 months of chemo for NF1 brain tumors
A 3-year-old girl with neurofibromatosis type 1 developed two optic pathway gliomas that threatened her vision. After café-au-lait spots led to an NF1 diagnosis, brain MRIs revealed the tumors. Maddie Fries underwent 14 months of weekly chemotherapy beginning mid-2024, including chest-port placement for infusions, to stabilize the tumors and preserve her sight. Her vision remains impaired but stable (about 20/60 with glasses), and she continues regular MRIs and eye exams; she’s starting kindergarten this August, highlighting the lifelong vigilance NF1 requires.