Teen, 14, Gets Devastating Diagnosis After His Symptoms Were Initially Mistaken for Anxiety from Changing Schools

A 14-year-old boy who was thought to be struggling with anxiety about changing schools was later diagnosed with a serious brain tumor.

Alex Costa-Veiga was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor that forms in the lower back part of the brain, in December 2023, according to a Brain Tumor Research release. The Mayo Clinic explains that this part of the brain, called the cerebellum, controls coordination, balance, and movement.

Before doctors discovered the tumor, Alex experienced morning sickness, vomiting, and balance problems for more than a year.

According to Brain Tumor Research, his symptoms were “initially suspected to be anxiety related to a school change.” Despite numerous doctor visits, blood tests, and pediatric reviews, no one detected the tumor growing inside his brain.

His mother, Melanie Costa-Veiga, said Alex “had always been healthy,” but began throwing up before school about a year before the diagnosis. “At first, I thought it might be anxiety,” she said, noting that Alex had recently switched schools. When the symptoms persisted, doctors explored gastrointestinal issues and food intolerances but found nothing.

Shortly before Christmas 2023, Alex began experiencing double vision. After a visit to the optician, the family was referred for a CT scan at Telford Hospital — where the results revealed the tumor.

“They showed us the scan, and everything suddenly started to make sense,” Melanie said. “The double vision was because the mass was blocking fluid in his brain, squeezing his optic nerve and cerebellum.”

On Dec. 24, Alex had surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, followed by a 10-hour operation on Dec. 27 to remove the tumor. Doctors later confirmed that the cancer had spread but was treatable.

Following two initial surgeries, Alex required three more operations to manage complications with shunts used to drain fluid from his brain. “As a family, we were in survival mode, simply getting through one day at a time,” Melanie recalled.

After surgery, Alex experienced posterior fossa syndrome, a condition that can affect speech and emotions. “Over time, these symptoms subsided and his personality came back,” Melanie said. However, Alex now experiences weakness on his left side and uses a wheelchair. He also wears an eye prism and is expected to have corrective eye surgery in 2026.

Alex has undergone 60 rounds of radiotherapy and four cycles of high-dose chemotherapy. “By his third cycle, he was so weak. It’s hard to explain how exhausting and brutal these treatments are, especially for children,” Melanie said, adding that he completed treatment in July 2024.

Now, Alex is focusing on recovery and catching up with school. “He’s brave, funny, and resilient. Yes, he’s different now, but he’s still Alex,” his mother said. “Every time we have a tough day, we remind ourselves how lucky we are. We take the small wins and keep going.”