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Brain Tumors/what to expect

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Expert: - 8/16/2008


Question
My Uncle is 69. Two weeks ago diagnosed with brain tumour, they have said it is too big and in the wrong place to do any operation, but are going to try radiation.  He already in just two weeks is very weak, lost use of left side (hand and leg and mouth drooping) and is finding getting around very difficult.  Will the radiation help to bring back any use of these areas or not? What else can we expect - he is generally very fit, so this is just devastating to see!!!  Is there any positives that we can look forward to??

Answer
Without knowing what kind of tumor he has it is very difficult to answer. However since radiation therapy has been suggested it is most likely a malignant lesion. At best radiation therapy may reduce the size of his lesion and slow down its growth later on. I do not think however that it can cure him and I do think that his tumor eventually will turn fatal unfortunately. How long this will take is impossible to say but I doubt that he will survive for several years. This process will probably be faster than that even with therapy. How much better he may become by this therapy is also impossible to say. Too big individual variations. I'm sorry I have nothing better to 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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