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Brain Tumors/stage 2 astrocytoma

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Expert: - 2/11/2009


Question
My sister was given the news that my 14 yr. old nephew has a grade 2 astrocytoma.  While we all are sure this is better than a grade 3 or 4, there are many things we are uncertain of.  Are these always fatal?  Has anyone ever survived more than 10 years?  What is the longest number of years of survival you are aware of?  We have been told that it is in the thalamus and cannot be operated on.  Can they still do a biopsy?  Thanks in advance for any insight and information you provide.

Answer
In the long run they are especially as they MAY change grade over time - to a higher one. It is most uncertain if a biopsy is possible when other surgery is not. I'm not up to date with any record survival time. But a grade 2 tumor MAY live for several years. Treatment MAY still be possible radiologically with the so called GammaKnife. But then it must not be too big. How big is his lesion?

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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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