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Brain Tumors/End Stage Glioblastoma Multiforme

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Expert: - 11/7/2008


Question
My wife was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme.  She has received her life time dose of radiation and has elected to discontinue her temodor.  The tumor is a conglomerate mass that is approximately 4.2 by 2.4 cm.  She is taking decodran four times a day at a dose of 4mg each for a total of 16mgs.  She now wants to discontinue her decodran.  If she tapers off her use of decodran, how quick could intercranial pressure cause her to go into a coma.  The decodran seems to be at a phase where it may need to be increased just so she can function.  I believe that her desire to discontinue life extending treatment may not really be an issue due to the disease progression.  That is, her Blood pressure has risen to 140 over 104, her pulse raised from 72 to 104 (oxygen use has begun), no longer can dress or bathe herself, and is unable to climb stairs without assistance.  All of these symptoms have occured within the last 5 days.  She is 44 years of age.  

Her Glioblastoma was diagnosed on June 27, 2008.  Debulking was performed on July 3, 2008.  The mass was butterfly with the largest mass on the right side.  After 33 radiation treatments with Temodar, the tumor grew 8 mm.  

I guess I am trying to figure out where we are and how much we have left.  

Answer
I'm sorry to read about her & your problems! Unfortunately she has at MOST just a few months left but without treatment it may be as short as just a few weeks or even shorter. She will become more & more confused, sleep more and more then drift into a coma and then pass away. There may be stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. There will be little pain, if any. I'm sorry I have nothing better ton tell you!

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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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