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Brain Tumors/GBM grade 4
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Question
My 28 yo nephew was diagnosed with gbm grade 4 November 2008. He had a large tumor on his left side. He underwent surgery, radiaton treatment, and months of temador. his tumor was stable through this summer but the mri in September showed it was back with a vengeance. He is now on Avastin every 2 weeks and is more tired and lethargicand seems to show changes in personality. What can we expect as I understand there is no further options after the Avastin.
Regardless of any therapy GBM tumors grade 4 all have a very bad prognosis unfortunately. Surgery, radiation therapy & chemotherapy can at present only temporarily relieve symptoms to some extent and prolong the survival time - also to some extent. That is all. He will now over time become more and more confused and sleep more and more. There may also be stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. His remaining survival time can at most be measured in months, certainly not in years. When he sleeps all the time his end will be near. He will then drift into a coma and then pass away. There will be little pain, if any. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!
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Answers by Expert:
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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