Her son was dying, but his rare cancer made it difficult to get the right drug

September 21, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News

Her son was dying, but his rare cancer made it difficult to get the right drug

TL;DR

  • Mason Henderson, 21, battled a rare brain tumor that spread to his spinal fluid.
  • His doctors recommended Lynparza, a drug not considered standard for his rare condition, but his insurance refused coverage.
  • Henderson's mother publicly appealed for access to the drug, leading to a donation from the manufacturer.
  • Despite receiving the drug for nearly two months, Henderson passed away, with his mother highlighting the time lost fighting healthcare instead of being with her son.
  • The case illustrates the challenges rare cancer patients encounter with insurance coverage and the need for updated treatment guidelines.