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Brain Tumors/melanoma brain metasisis

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Expert: - 11/9/2008


Question
QUESTION: MY SISTER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA ON HER LEG 2 YRS AGO, IT WAS REMOVED.  JUST RECENTLY SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN METASISIS, WITH 7 LESIONS (UNOPERATABLE) I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME IDEA OF LIFE EXPECTANCY

ANSWER: Her survival time can probably be measured in months. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!


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

QUESTION: SHE HAS TAKEN RADIATION FOR 3 WKS AND IS GETTING READY TO TAKE CHEMO RECCOMMENDED TO OUR ONCOLOGIST BY A DR AT MDA.  WILL THIS CHANGE TIMELINE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT???  I REALIZE THAT WHAT YOU SAY CAN NOT BE A DEFINITE BUT IT CAN GIVE US SOME IDEA OF WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.  THE DR WOULD LIKE TO DO 4 TO 5 ROUNDS OF THIS CHEMO.

Answer
Please see my previous answer. There MAY be a somewhat prolonged survival but probably not by much, but I can not be completely sure. She may suffer stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits, She will become more and more confused, sleep more and and more, drift into a coma and then pass away. There will probably not be much pain from her head.

Brain Tumors

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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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