A BRAVE Newport toddler battling a rare form of cancer is a step closer to beating the disease after doctors gave him the all-clear from secondary tumours.

22-month-old Alfie Cueto-Davies, of the Gaer, is set to undergo further chemotherapy at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales to shrink the tumour on his liver so it can be removed.

The alternative is a liver transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

His family were told doctors could not operate if the secondary tumours on his lungs and pancreas remained.

Mum Michelle Cueto, 19, said: “Anthony (Alfie’s dad) rang me and it sounded like he was crying – I thought it was going to be bad news. But he told me and I ran downstairs and couldn’t stop smiling.

It was brilliant.”

Alfie was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma – a condition which effects just eight children a year in the UK – in March after Miss Cueto, 19, spotted an egg-sized lump on his stomach.

The mother of two refused to believe doctors who said it was a cyst after the toddler lost half his body weight and took him to the Royal Gwent Hospital.

He has already endured several rounds of chemotherapy, which doctors say is almost certain to cause deafness, and the youngster will travel to Birmingham on June 26 for preliminary organ transplant tests in case he does need one.

A race night fundraiser to fund trips to Birmingham is taking place at Bassaleg & Rogerstone Social Club on June 24 and a football match featuring veteran Cardiff City players is planned for August 10 at Whiteheads Social Club. The family has already raised more than £1,000.

To contribute to Alfie’s fund, e-mail alfiestrustfund@yahoo.

co.uk or send a cheque made payable to Alfie’s Trust Fund to Maria Jones, 13 St Basils Crescent, Bassaleg, Newport, NP10 8PH.