A TEENAGER with an aggressive brain tumour has become one of the first patients in the world to undergo a revolutionary form of treatment.

The family of James Willetts, 17, of Taunton, turned to the pioneering expertise of a Bristol surgeon for a lifeline after he failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy methods.

The previously untried procedure, costing £36,000 and not available on the NHS, involved bolting a titanium port containing four small tubes to his skull, allowing medication to be targeted at the tumour with pinpoint accuracy.

James, who had a tennis ball-sized tumour removed by surgery after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, is showing improvement after three infusions using the port, which was constructed by a 3d computer.

His father, Simon Willetts, owner of Combers hair salon, said it was initially believed James was suffering from stress when he complained of headaches as he studied for his A levels at Taunton School in January 2014.

After surgery and the only NHS-recommended treatment of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy, James was put on a trial drug from a pharmaceutical company, which was also unsuccessful.

He was then selected to take part in the new convection enhanced delivery therapy trials carried out by neurosurgeon Professor Steven Gill at Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital.

The procedure enables greater concentrations and quantities of drugs to attack the tumour without causing systemic side effects.

“The tumour has reduced and James is stable, although his left arm and leg and short-term memory are damaged following the infusions,” said Mr Willetts.

“He’s taking lots of supplementary medical and homeopathic drugs and also does meditation, working with his spiritual side.”

Prof Gill has set up the Funding Neuro crowdfunding charity to fund his work, while a separate trust fund, Brain Power has been established that could pay for further treatment for James.

Mr Willetts said: “So many people have donated to the trust fund and our aim is for James to get well enough to run it as a charity to help others.

“Having been through what he has, you see where all the gaps are, so I imagine it would be something to do with brain tumours or supporting people going through that type of thing.

“His experience has given him a gift he can share – when you get through it, you’ve got a unique story to inspire others.”

James is “cocooned in a family of love” composed of Mr Willetts, his wife Carolyn and siblings Cameron, 16, and Madison, eight.

“He’s got a great sense of humour and everyone says he’s incredible,” added his father.

“He’s got strengths that I don’t know where they come from.

“He’s teaching me all the time and his inner strength and spiritual calm have helped us all develop some qualities it takes a lifetime to learn.

“He’s never complained or asked, ‘Why me?’ “We’ve always thought there must be a reason for it – if you become a victim you’ve get no chance of winning and growing.

“If you have a plan to overcome life’s challenges and an inner belief, that can be empowering.”

*To donate to James’s trust, send cheques – no cash – made payable to ‘James Brain Power Trust’ to James Brain Power Trust, c/o Somerset County Gazette, St James Street, Taunton TA1 1JR.