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Brain Tumors/mass on left side of brain

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Expert: - 8/5/2008


Question
QUESTION: My brother had an MRI show a mass on the left side of his brain. His symptoms are vertigo, headaches, memory loss, pinching feelings , weakness and seizures. Is there ANY chance that it is NOT brain cancer??

ANSWER: Yes there is. There are different kinds of "brain" tumors. Not all of them malignant. But of course I can not guarantee anything!


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

QUESTION: O.K. So does that mean it has to be either one or the other? There's no chance of it being something a little less scary? And do you know what would cause the pinching feeling? My guess is that the mass is against a nerve-is that correct?

Answer
Well, yes usually. If it is say a meningioma it is probably not malignant and can probably be successfully treated with surgery - so not very scary. If on the other hand it is a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme it would be very malignant and his prognosis very bad. Without knowing what kind of tumor it is I can not tell you more. Well his tumor may be pressing against that part of his brain where those sensations are processed and therefore he may have those pinching feelings.

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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