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Brain Tumors/Brain Tumor

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Expert: - 7/31/2008


Question
Hello,
My Mother was diagnosed with glioblastoma around 7/14/08. It is stage 4, and and the size of a golf ball, and a small off shoot about the size of a nickel, this MRI was done about weeks ago. You answered to someone that her father would sleep alot just before death, and no pain. Is there no pain? My Mama sleeps more than normal now, but too she is taking seizure medication. Her first treatment is not until 8/05/08. She has no head aches, mobility and coordination is good but communication is not, it is amazing that she has no more symptoms other than communication. Do you think she may have a year after treatment? How long would you think she has had this? Do you know what causes this, the other Doctors say they don't know. Is there any new treatment, she is a very healthy 84. Thanks Donna

Answer
Epileptic fits are not uncommon, but pain is unusual. When she sleeps most of the time (= practically all the time) the end is getting closer. She MAY have around one year after treatment but it may be shorter. It is impossible to predict this with any accuracy! Well her tumor did not appear very recently, it has been there quite some time but I can not say exactly how long. More than a year though. No one knows what causes it! No unfortunately there are no new proven treatments.

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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.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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