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Brain Tumors/glioblastoma stage iv

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Expert: - 2/12/2008


Question
My 40 year old brother has this cancer. Surgery has been done I know he is going to have radiation and chemo and I would like to know what to expect re symptoms as time goes by.

Answer
Unfortunately I have nothing nice to tell you. These tumors are incurable and always fatal at present - regardless of therapy. Therapy including surgery, radiation therapy and chemo therapy can at present only prolong survival to some extent and decrease symptoms somewhat and for some time! That is unfortunately all! He will later on become more and more confused, may show stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. He will sleep more and more, drift into a coma and then pass away. There will be very little pain - if indeed any! Survival time after this therapy is usually around one year or a little longer but may be shorter. Never much longer. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

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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