You are here:

Brain Tumors/Glioblastoma Grade IV

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/2/2008


Question
Hi,

My brother who's 25 years old has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Grade IV. He started having huge headachs and vomiting, that's how he went to check him self. He had an operation last week to remove the tumor. the operation was 4 hours and the doctor removed everything (However I doubt that now I've read about it). When they did a biopsy, they found the following:

Specimen consists of several irregular fragmented pieces, soft to firm,
RESULTS FROM COPATH : yellow-tan to dark-grey tissue fragments largest measuring 0.5 x 0.3 cm
and
RESULTS FROM COPATH : smallest measuring 0.3 x 0.2 cm.
RESULTS FROM COPATH : 3 cassettes (all embedded)
RESULTS FROM COPATH : FINAL DIAGNOSIS
RESULTS FROM COPATH : Brain: left parieto-occipital mass: biopsy: - Glioblastoma;WHO grade IV.

Does my brother have a chance? please give it to me straight.

Thanks

Answer
Unfortunately a glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 has a VERY BAD prognosis! Survival time even with all kinds of treatment (surgery, radiation therapy & chemo therapy) in combination is around one year an NO ONE survives much longer. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

Brain Tumors

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.