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Brain Tumors/GBM - second recurrence
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Question
My husband was diagnosed with GBM August 08 - had total resection, radiation, temodar. 7 months later, there was regrowth - had Gamma knife, followed by Carboplatin and Avastin. Now, 5 months later, there is rapidly growing tumor adjacent to original site and more symptoms - he is steadily going downhill. Has been offered clinical trials (phase two) of either Bendamustine or Axiza, or several conventional FDA approved chemotherapies for brain cancer that historically don't help much according to the doctor. I was highly disappointed that the Avastin didn't work due to encouraging studies.
We are confused about which way to jump: the clinical trials or traditional therapies ---or, nothing at all,just comfort care - since this is all palliative care. Consequently, we aren't looking outside our area for clinical trails.
My question is whether you think clinical trials are a better choice, or traditional treatments when at this obviously late stage situation. Thank you so much for your time.
To be frank I do not think traditional therapy has much to offer in this situation (except maybe a short extra survival extension) so though being a shot in dark since we do not know if it is of any value at all I have to suggest clinical trials. Which one? Well, since the results are unknown your guess is as good as mine. The alternative is doing nothing which does not offer any solution at all. That is unfortunately all that I can suggest.
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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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