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Brain Tumors/Butterfly Glioma

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Expert: - 10/30/2008


Question
QUESTION: With a diagnosis of a 5cm high-graded glial neoplasm centered on the rostrum of the corpus callosum with two discrete satellite lesions in the left frontal lobe. What is the pronosis? We were told couldn't do surgery however they want to do a biopsy. Then chemo and radiation. What is the quality of life  having chemo and radiation?

ANSWER: Most malignant brain tumors have a bad prognosis. Tumors with a high grade even worse. To be sure of the grade a biopsy is necessary. Life quality due to radiation and chemo is not too bad, but the tumor will prbably make the quality worse.


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

QUESTION: Thank you for your previous answer.What is the life expectancy with and without the chemo and radiation, for a healthy 67 year old woman? She has already lost her short term memory, balance is off and is haveing head aches.

Answer
In both cases the tumor is fatal. Radiation and chemo can prolong survival and temporarily relieve symptoms. Since we do not know the grade with certainty it is impossible to state any expected survival time and how long it may be prolonged by these therapies. No cure is at present possible though unfortunately.

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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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