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Brain Tumors/symptoms of progression /glio metforme

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Expert: - 10/22/2009


Question
My Husband had surgery on 3/2/09 he's had chemo,radiation & more chemo by port. Tremodar, avastin and another. He's 59 but now all of a sudden I see changes. More confusion very weak,he can hardley get up and down.He's become very quiet . I truly just don't know what to expect. It has definately affected him emotionally. Are there specific symptoms to look for?
I'd appreciate any insight. Thank You Fran Hale

Answer
I suppose that what he had was a glioblastoma multiforme? This kind of tumor has a very bad prognosis. Surgery, radiation therapy & chemotherapy can only temporarily relieve symptoms to some extent and - also to some extent - prolong survival time. That is all unfortunately. No cure is at present possible and so far all these tumors are eventually fatal. He will become more and more confused and sleep more and more. When he sleeps all the time his end will be near. He will then drift into a coma and then pass away. There may also be stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. There will not be much pain - if any. Survival time from primary treatment is usually around one year or a little longer. 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.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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