Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/11/2008

Question
My dad was dx with this 11-07 its in the right frontal lobe in the motor strip and inoperative. His mother had it 1992 and died within 3 months, but they wasted about 3-5 months treating her for Bells Palsy. But they tell us that its not heredity. What do you know about this. Also he is paralyzed on the left side, is this from the tumor? Cancer doctors say yes, Neuro doctor says no, he thinks its coming from the seizures which are hard to see and in his face only. Neruo doctor seems to think if we could get the seizures under control he would get his left side back, but it hasn't happened yet.

Answer
If his tumor is in the motorical cortex (the part of his brain that controls muscular movements) and on the right side of his brain then his paralysis on his left side should be connected with that (the control is crossed). GBM IV tumors have an extremely bad prognosis regardless of treatment. His seizures are probably also connected with his tumor so yes there is probably a connection between his paralysis and his seizures but that is most likely because both are caused by his tumor. Without any possibility of a cure of his tumor there is no likely possibility of a cure of his paralysis and seizures either unfortunately.  No one knows the causes of these tumors. There has not been found any reason to believe that there are any genetic causes for them either. If that will remain so in the future I do not know. His mother's case and his may be a coincidence.  I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!