Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/19/2008

Question
My wife is a 13 year survivor of a Grade IV Glioblastoma. I know, that is not possible. But she is, notwithstanding. She developed the tumor when she was 40. The surgeon resected a portion of her left parietal lobe about the size of a pack of cigarettes.  He gave her nine months to live. After six weeks of radiation and 15 months of chemotherapy, she was an invalid. But after three months, she was back driving and exercising daily. She was nurse and a retired U.S. Air Force Major. She finished her last year of reserve duty while undergoing the chemotherapy. She's as tough as she is beautiful. Last October she had a stroke at the bottom of the frontal lobe near the brain stem. A week later she had another, enlarging the first one, even though they had put her on Plavix after the first one. She had no predisposing condition except high cholesterol. Could this have been the result of blood vessel deterioration from the radiation therapy and, if so, can anything be done?

Answer
If her diagnosis was correct she is rather unique! Actually some brain tumours are VERY hard to diagnose correctly. So I would not be surprised if her original diagnosis was incorrect! I can not a priori exclude the possibility that her radiation therapy contributed to her stroke but such effects are not common - or at least not known to be common!(On the other hand this kind of therapy is not common in 13 year survivors either). And she may do have another risk factor in her blood cholesterol! I'm very sorry for what has happened to her! But here a very experienced neurologist should be consulted! Only a neurologist (I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist) can tell you if anything can be done! Please do keep me posted!