You are here:

Brain Tumors/brain tumor

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/10/2009


Question
hello,i have a question for my mother.shes 63 yrs old,2 yrs ago she had a double mastectomy when diagnosed with breast cancer.The doctor did not reccomend chemotherapy or radiation after the surgery due to other health problems.We found out yesterday she has 2 tumors on her brain,one of which is pushing on the nerve that goes to her eyes.the other is suspected to be near the base of the brain stem.They have also found several "spots" on her lungs,but no biopsy was done.
I guess what im asking is,what is our best course of action at this time? Your opinion would be greatly appreciated.            Thanks.

Answer
Radiation therapy of her brain can be tried as can high intensity radiation therapy (with the so called GammaKnife) of the lesions close to her optic nerve and her brain stem. But that can only be done if these lesions are small enough (around 1 inch in size or smaller). Hormone treatment as well as chemotherapy may also be options. BUT with brain lesions her prognosis is very bad even WITH therapy and probable survival time is at most around a few months. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!  

Brain Tumors

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.