Television personality and podcast host Gyles Brandreth has spoken candidly about the profound shock his family experienced when his infant grandson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Brandreth described the diagnosis as a "shock to the system," revealing that he had previously associated cancer primarily with older adults rather than young children.
A Devastating Discovery at Fifteen Months
In April 2017, Brandreth's grandson, Kitt, was just fifteen months old when his parents discovered a pea-sized lump near his abdomen during a routine nappy change. The child's mother, Saethryd Brandreth, an author, and her husband, Mark, an Army veteran, initially consulted a GP who suggested the lump might be a harmless cyst or hernia. However, subsequent medical tests delivered devastating news: Kitt was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an exceptionally rare type of soft tissue sarcoma.
This particular cancer affects fewer than sixty children across the United Kingdom each year, making it an uncommon and serious diagnosis in paediatric oncology. The news sent shockwaves through the family, challenging their preconceptions about who is affected by such illnesses.
The Gruelling Treatment Journey at Great Ormond Street
Kitt was immediately referred to the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London for treatment. His medical regimen was intensive, involving chemotherapy that led to hair loss, alongside numerous blood and platelet transfusions. The young boy's battle was further complicated when he contracted a serious bacterial infection that affected his heart and liver during treatment.
Brandreth expressed immense gratitude for the care provided at GOSH, stating that the hospital's stellar reputation offered immediate reassurance to the worried family. "The moment we heard Kitt was going to Great Ormond Street, we felt reassured because of their world-class reputation," Brandreth recalled. "There was the sense that whatever needed to be available would be available."
Emotional Support and Maintaining Childhood Normalcy
The veteran broadcaster described the entire experience as deeply "emotional," emphasising the importance of patience and trust in the medical team. He praised the hospital staff as "matchless at every level," from consultants to nursing personnel, noting that the supportive environment meant the family "never felt alone."
While Kitt's parents focused intently on his medical care, Brandreth embraced his role as "Grandpa, providing a sense of normality." He highlighted how GOSH excelled at remembering that "children are children," providing a wonderful playroom where he and Kitt would complete jigsaws, build structures, and share funny poems together.
Serious Complications and the Pace of Medical Science
Kitt's treatment journey included developing a dangerous condition called veno-occlusive disease, a potentially fatal complication often triggered by high-dose chemotherapy that blocks small liver veins and can lead to multiple organ failure. This experience brought home the sometimes slow pace of medical advancement to the family.
Brandreth reflected on reading about exciting new treatments in newspapers, only to learn from doctors that such innovations were not yet clinically available. He acknowledged that while there have been remarkable breakthroughs in recent decades, including CAR T-cell therapy developed at GOSH, many childhood cancers are still treated with medications originally developed in the 1970s.
A Hopeful Outcome and Ongoing Advocacy
After months of intensive treatment, Kitt received the all-clear in November 2017 and was able to ring the end-of-treatment bell at the hospital—a moment of profound relief and celebration for the family. Now aged ten and living overseas with his parents and older sibling Rory, Kitt has remained cancer-free for eight years and continues with annual check-ups at GOSH.
Gyles Brandreth is now supporting GOSH Charity's campaign to help fund a new world-class Children's Cancer Centre, lending his voice to the cause ahead of World Cancer Day. The charity provides essential services including family accommodation near the hospital, multi-faith chaplaincy support, and specialist Play teams, while advocating for more research into gentler, more effective treatments for childhood cancers.
The family's experience underscores the emotional and medical challenges faced by families dealing with paediatric cancer, while highlighting the critical importance of specialist hospital care and ongoing research into childhood cancers.
