A charity has given an award to a boy who may be the only person to have fought off a cancer complicated by a genetic condition.

Nine-year-old Kaide Olivier, from Stocking Farm, Leicester, was found to have a rare and aggressive form of brain tumour two years ago.

The youngster's condition was complicated by the fact he also suffers from a genetic disorder – neurofibromatosis – which can cause tumours to grow on nerves.

Doctors said there have been only two recorded cases in the world of patients who had both conditions.

The other patient did not survive.

Kaide was presented with a Little Star award by Cancer Research UK to mark his bravery.

His parents, Fiona and Ritchie, were initially told he had a 30 per cent chance of survival.

Mrs Olivier said: "You hear the word 'cancer' and you immediately think it is the end of the road."

Surgery to remove the tumour at the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, in August 2006, appeared to go well.

The youngster was told he would have to have radiotherapy to make sure all the cancer was gone.

The day before treatment was due to begin, Mr and Mrs Olivier were called to see specialists at the hospital.

They were concerned that because of his complicated medical condition the radiotherapy might not be effective and might even make matters worse.

Mrs Olivier, 36, said: "Doctors told us they believed Kaide was only the second recorded person in the world to have this type of tumour as well as neurofibromatosis.

"They told us about the other case, in America, where a woman had undergone radiotherapy and subsequently died, and were worried about the effectiveness of the treatment.

"The doctors were sure they had removed the entire tumour and felt it might be better in Kaide's case to leave the radiotherapy, which in itself causes brain damage.

"It was quite traumatic. Ritchie and I had to decide whether we took the chance and followed their advice. It was one of the hardest decisions we have made, but we both agreed to take their advice."

Kaide, a pupil at Belgrave St Peter's Primary School, will have to be monitored for the rest of his life to watch for possible tumours, but the outlook is good.

Mrs Olivier, who works for British Gas Business, said: "The tumour was only picked up because I was anxious about Kaide and his brother Cameron, 13, who both have neurofibromatosis and got MRI scans to put my mind at rest.

"Kaide is so full of energy it is hard to believe what he has been through."

Kaide said: "I feel fine now, but I didn't like the operation and was glad to get home to see my brothers and sister."

Dr Bruce Morland, the chairman of the national Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group, which is based in Leicester, said: "Kaide is a true Little Star and we wish him all the best for the future."