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Brain Tumors/Oligoastrocytoma

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Expert: - 1/28/2008


Question
Hi, I have a right frontal grade 2 oligoastrocytoma which was operated on in 2006.The surgeon could not remove all the tumour although he said that only a very small amount remained.  Is this kind of tumour cancerous/malignant? Do you know what the life expectancy is of people with this kind of tumor? I did not have any treatment than surgery, if the tumor regrows would you recommend other treatments? I would really like another baby - is this unwise?

Answer
Well your tumor is not really a cancer, no primary malignant brain tumors are really, but it does have some cancer like properties even though at grade 2 they are rather low key (they would have been even more low key had it been a grade 1 tumor). At this grade you may live for many years, but of course I can not issue any promises or guarantees. Now and then a low grade brain tumor like yours suddenly becomes more high grade and thereby more malignant.  You have more surgery as an option but also (in combination with surgery if possible) radiation therapy & chemo therapy! I can not decide your life for you, that is something you must do yourself. But if I were you I doubt very much that I would consider a new baby.

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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