Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/9/2009

Question
My Cousin was diagnozed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma in the right side of his brain and this was operated upon in 2005, but now it has relapsed in the left lobe.
7 weeks of radiation therapy hasn't achieved the desired result and the growth hasnt stopped till now.
He is sleeping all the time now and has stopped eating and movement. We are not even sure if he is conscious.

My query is that that doctors say that the growth of tumor is quite rapid and hence before radiation takes effect, the tumor multiplies and hence conventional radiation is not useful.

How about CyberKnife, will this kill the tumor cells instantaneously, or will this also require sometime as conventional radiotheraphy, which will be ineffective if the growth rate of the cells is very high.

Your quick response will be of very great help in our case.

Regards
Maddy

Answer
A cyberknife is able to deliver a much higher dose at a higher rate than conventional radiation therapy (the GammaKnife and proton beams share the same ability). But they also all share the disabilty to treat as large volumes as can be treated with conventional radiation therapy. So I fear that his tumor is too large for those kinds of treatment. At least by now. Since he sleeps all the time it is unfortunately very probable that his end is near. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!