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Brain Tumors/Grade 2-3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma

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Expert: - 4/29/2009


Question
My husband was diagnosed with a grade 2-3 AA brain tumor in June of 2005 he underwent surgery, temodar, radiation, cyberknife and intravenous chemo. He was orginally given a lifespan of no more than 2 1/2 years. It has since been 3 1/2 years since diagnosis and treatments. He receives MRI's every 6 months. Even though the MRI's have been good. Is it possible for the tumor to recur.

Answer
Unfortunately it is. There is some real difference between a grade 2 and a grade 3 brain tumor. A grade 2 may live for quite a number of years while a grade 3 has a much shorter survival time. Here it was obviously hard to see if it was a grade 2 or a grade 3. It seems it was evaluated as a grade 3 with a worse prognosis. If it is in fact a grade 2 his survival time will be longer. To evaluate grade in brain tumors is always hard! That it was called anaplastic also indicates that it was regarded as a grade 3.  

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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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