Neuroblastoma Cancer Survivor: Signe Rosenkrans

When four-year-old Signe Rosenkrans experienced two months of back and leg pain, her parents decided to travel from their small town to the city of Copenhagen in their home country of Denmark to seek medical treatment. After multiple tests, doctors diagnosed Signe with neuroblastoma in May 2016. Neuroblastoma forms in the developing nerve cells and is often found in babies and young children under the age of 10. 

Treating the kidney, bones and lymph nodes 

In Signe’s case, doctors had to not only treat the aggressive tumor found on her right kidney, but also cancer found in her bones and lymph nodes. Signe quickly began a series of medical procedures to treat her neuroblastoma. First, she underwent a complicated surgery to remove the tumor. During surgery, Signe lost a large amount of blood and almost her life. She then began three months of chemotherapy, followed by a difficult stem cell transplant. 

Subsequently, her doctors in Copenhagen recommended the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center as part of her treatment plan for neuroblastoma. Proton therapy was able to precisely target the cancer cells in Signe’s body while sparing her vital organs and tissue. 

Denmark helps pay for proton therapy 

With so much on their plate, the last thing Signe’s parents wanted to worry about was traveling for treatment and travel expenses. Fortunately, Denmark pays for medical treatments through their universal health care system. Signe and her family traveled for treatment to the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center in January 2017. 

“MD Anderson is the best place in the world to be for proton therapy” 

After enduring so many medical procedures and emotional stress, Signe and her family welcomed the compassionate and personal care received at MD Anderson. 

“MD Anderson is the best place in the world to be for proton therapy. Everyone is so nice and most importantly, they are so professional,” Signe’s dad shared. 

Signe received a total of 16 proton therapy treatments at the Proton Therapy Center. 

“Signe loved it! They were all so kind to her. She loved to wake up every day with Yvette and Leo after her treatment,” her dad recalled. 

Signe has started school and loves it. She also loves spending time with her three-year-old brother, Dirch, and her Barbie. “Signe just loves life. Besides spending time with her brother, she likes to draw and paint. She is just a very happy child.”