Philly Radio: WPEN’s Darren Daulton Has Brain Cancer

Darren Daulton

Former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, who underwent brain surgery earlier this month to remove two tumors, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to philly.com.

Here is a statement released by WPEN 97.5 FM The Fanatic: 

On behalf of the Board of the Darren Daulton Foundation, and on behalf of Darren and his family, the following is an update on Darren’s condition and the September 9th golf outing at LuLu Country Club. 

Darren has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma (“GBM”), a form of brain cancer. He has returned to his Clearwater area home to continue recuperating amongst his immediate family and friends. He will eventually begin treatments in Florida. 

Darren and his family wish to thank everyone for their loving support throughout this difficult time. He is deeply touched. In typical fashion, he again said, “Right on; Fight on.” Darren and his family request that everyone respect his privacy and that of his family during this period of time. At his urging, I can report that the September 9, 2013 golf tournament that benefits the Foundation will continue as planned. 

More details are forthcoming as Darren has requested that we keep his friends and fans periodically updated.

The statement is unclear on whether or not all cancerous cells have been removed, but according to the American Brain Tumor Association's website, these tumors "are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels."

This is a very difficult form of cancer to treat, according to ABTA: Prognosis is usually reported in years of "median survival." Median survival is the time at which an equal number of patients do better and an equal number of patients do worse. With standard treatment, median survival for adults with an anaplastic astrocytoma is about two to three years. For adults with more aggressive glioblastoma, treated with concurrent temozolamide and radiation therapy, median survival is about 14.6 months and two-year survival is 30%. However, a 2009 study reported that almost 10% of patients with glioblastoma may live five years or longer.

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