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Brain Tumors/malignant brain tumor stage 3

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Expert: - 12/30/2009


Question
QUESTION: About a week ago my 22yr old boyfriend was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that is in stage 3. Brain tumors have occured in his family for many generations. Due to this fact, he went in 4yrs ago to get checked. They found nothing. However, his present doctor said that they missed it. My question is, since this tumor has been there now for over 4 years and is the size of a quarter what is your best opinion of his survival rate? Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: First of all, brain tumors rarely have stages. So what I think is meant is that it is of GRADE 3. But that is not enough for an evaluation. I also need to know what KIND of brain tumor we are discussing (there are many). I also need to know its size and exact location. Without that no evaluation or prediction is possible. I also need to know on what his diagnosis is based. CT scans? MRI scans? Biopsy? Diagnosis and grading is not easy! Even the statement of 4 years is most uncertain. So there is a lot of information that I need.

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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumor that is sandwiched between the sensorimotor area and the partietal lobe and 5cm.  A week ago he got a CT and MRI scan and a biopsy. When he went in for the first time 4 yrs ago, he only got a CT scan and all the doctor saw was a gray area which from what I've heard could be a number of things and/or nothing. Hope that is enough info. Thank you.

Answer
OK, a CT alone is not enough. However I'm not sure that an MRI 4 years ago would have shown anything either. Discussions on how long it has been there are rather speculative with far too few facts available. But with the diagnosis of an anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3 I would estimate (no precision is possible) his survival time after treatment (surgery, radiation therapy & chemotherapy) to be around 2 to 3 years possibly somewhat longer. The long time prognosis is anyway bad.
I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!


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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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