Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: just to thank you for your answers in the past

my husband was diagnosed December 31, 2006 with stage IV nsclc with brain mets

he went through three months of radiation to the brain, the gamma knife - and now a craniotomy - he also went through six sessions of chemotherapy  as of December 2007 he was still clear on his PET scan from lung cancer

he became almost unable to walk he was still trying before surgery - you would just hold you breathe because sometimes he would fall

he underwent craniotomy to remove one tumor and he still has one that is encapsulated - on December 10, 2007 - since then he is wheelchair bound, i have to feed him, bath him, etc. we were told and i understand that this might be permanent -

when or if do you think we would see results from this surgery - to me things look like they are going downhill

eating - maybe four to five bites of an egg and two bites of a bicsuit for breakfast and a piece of fruit - lunch - maybe a piece of fruit or a cookie - nothing for supper  and this has been going on since his surgery - he has lost about 25 pounds since December 10, 2007.

he fell again this morning as i could not get there in time

how long can he go one eating the way he is and live - well tthe brain tumor come back - will the lung cancer come back - is his prognosis fatal and if so how long

thanks again,

ANSWER: I'm sorry to read about all your and his problems! It is quite evident that his condition is going down hill! I estimate his remaining survival time to be a few months at most but may be as short as a few weeks or even shorter. This type of cancer is at present always fatal. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: okay he fell on monday a.m. again and we rushed him to the hospital

we just got home today which is wednesday - they found a fluid filled cyst in the spot they did the surgery on and then they found another new lesion - - also massive swelling of the brain

my husband is wanting to have another craniotomy but we will not meet with them until January 30, 2008 -

do you think that this would help or even if the neurosurgeon would do a repeat craniotomy since it has only been a little less than six weeks

thanks again,

sharon

ANSWER: I'm sorry to read about all your troubles! It may help temporarily but unfortunately that is the only possibility I can see. I'm sorry I can not give you any better information!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: okay we are going to have another craniotomy done on 2-4-2008 - the lesion that the doctor took out he said he did not go deep enough and it has grown back - also he has a new lesion which they will do gamma knife on after surgery

he still has the one that is encapsulated

this time they said they would leave the bone flap out and i think this is called a craniectomy - why would they leave the flap out this time

we are back on 12 mg of dexamethasone a day and i still do not see a difference in his functions - how long can you take this as he has been on it for about 11 months

what is the quality of life after all of this as i am frightened

i just do not know how much more i can take on and continue to work

thanks,

sharon

Answer
I do understand how hard your situation must be! I do not think any of these procedures can perform anything but most temporary help! In his situation I do not think we need to be concerned with how long he has been on that medication! Obviously the quality of life is not good for any of you! With regards to your surgical question I just do not know why they do it like that this time - I'm not a surgeon. You must address his drs. with that question. Honestly I regard his situation as hopeless, but I suppose his drs. want to do anything and everything possible for him - and you! That is probably how they view the situation! Even if we perhaps do not share that view!