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Brain Tumors/brain cancer

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Expert: - 1/25/2009


Question
My son in law age 38 was diagnosed 13 months ago with stage 3 anaplastic astrocytoma.  Had four surgeries, radiation, temodar, usual pills.  Tumor has returned stage 4 had gamma knife and is sceduled to start intra venous chemo in two weeks.  He is deteriorating a little every day.  Leg muscles are week and gets dizzy when trying to get up from wheel chair to go to bed.  Question is...is the dizziness small seizures which he thinks they are or is the beginning of the end?  Any additional info on this horrible illness would be helpful.
Thank you

Answer
Unfortunately they are probably both. They are probably epileptic in nature to some extent BUT they also indicate a progress of his illness! A GRADE 4 (malignant primary brain tumors do not usually have stages) astrocytoma has a VERY bad prognosis! However when he sleeps ALL the time THEN his end is really near. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

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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