Teenager, 19, who was given three months to live after being diagnosed with rare cancer has his radiotherapy treatment suspended due to coronavirus outbreak

A teenager given three months to live after he was diagnosed with a rare cancer has had his radiotherapy treatment suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Alfie Keogh, 19, from Blackpool, Lancashire, had been receiving treatment for spindle cell synovial sarcoma cancer in his right calf muscle. 

His tumour had shrunk in size by more than half since it was identified in August 2019 in what his sister, Anna-Rose, described as a 'miracle' turnaround. 

But after Covid-19 struck, The Christie hospital in Manchester called on March 20 to cancel his follow-up radiotherapy.

His desperate mother, Estelle Heathcote, has turned to CBD & THC oils. She has taken out loans and credit cards to fund more than £15,000-worth of the drugs. 

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Alfie Keogh, 19, from Blackpool, Manchester, had his follow-up radiotherapy cancelled on March 20 due to coronavirus. He was being treated at The Christie, Manchester

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Mr Keogh had been diagnosed with spindle cell synovial sarcoma cancer, a rare type of leg cancer, in his right calf muscle. He has received chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Anna-Rose said her brother, the youngest of four, saw his treatment come to an 'abrupt end' after he was given pain relief medication.

Medics have warned that, due to his weakened immune system, he could die if he catches the virus.

The family has launched a GoFundMe page as they try to raise money for other drugs that they believe could help him. It has so far received more than £10,000 in donations.

Ms Heathcote said: 'There have been times when he could not get the oil due to finances as it is very, very expensive.

'The times he has not had the oil has been horrific, screaming in pain and agony, losing weight and not being able to eat or get out of bed.' 

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His family has also given him CBD and THC oils. His desperate mother Estelle Heathcote, pictured with Mr Keogh, has taken out loans to pay for £15,000-worth of the oils

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Mr Keogh is 'still going strong' his family said. They are appealing for help funding the oils

When Mr Keogh first started treatment he lost two stone, all his hair fell out and it was a struggle to climb up the stairs.

However, when the oils were introduced the family said they saw his appetite, sleep and overall health improve.

Ms Heathcote said he is 'still doing well' following the cancellation of his treatment. 

The Christie says on its website: 'All hospitals across Greater Manchester including The Christie have to prioritise treatment of the most urgent cases and change or defer treatment of other patients until the pandemic is over.'

They say that patients receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been asked to remain at home for 12 weeks due to weakened immune systems.

'For them the effects of catching Covid-19 may outweigh the risks of deferring treatment for a while,' they said.

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The Christie said that as chemotherapy weakens the immune system, it may be necessary to defer treatment for a while to reduce the risk from coronavirus

The Christie's trust does not appear in NHS England figures for deaths caused by coronavirus. Yesterday, however, the North West overtook London to become the hotspot of the UK's coronavirus outbreak.

However, the number of people in hospital was significantly lower than at the start of the pandemic. 

Sarcoma UK, a bone cancer charity, called for patients with rare cancers to get the treatment they need.

Its chief executive, Richard Davidson, said: 'The sad truth is that cancers still behave like cancers during a pandemic.

'It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that sarcoma cancer patients get the treatment they need during the pandemic, given that treatments are already limited and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are crucial to managing this devastating illness.' 

The NHS has appealed to those who are unwell to contact health services in order to receive treatment.