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Brain Tumors/Metastatic breast cancer

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Expert: - 12/4/2009


Question
My 52 year old mother was diagnosed with multiple brain metastases from breast cancer in May of this year (she also has mets in her bones and liver). She completed her whole brain radiotherapy treatment in July and is currently taking steroids, herceptin and oral chemo treatment. Her first scan since the WBR has showed no sign of tumours apart from one which has shrunk right back to 2mm and her liver is still clear. She seems well and is so positive that she will be around for years yet. I would just like to prepare myself for the near future, is this realistic to think she may survive years and years? She refuses to give much information away so can not ask her cancer nurses much. Also can she have whole brain radiotherapy more than once when tumours grow back? Thank you

Answer
Unfortunately the cancer usually comes back and usually does so after a not very long time span (months at most usually). So her hope of a survival of "years and years" is most probably in vain unfortunately. She has probably received a "full dose" and then it is not possible to give more.

I have some computer problems so unfortunately my reply is delayed.

You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128

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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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