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Brain Tumors/Astrocytoma

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Expert: - 5/26/2009


Question
My father is diagnosed with low grade astrocytoma in right frontal lobe. He is 57 years old. The doctors advised there will be no difference observed with or without surgery, the also made me understand the complications after the surgery, they left the decision on me. My father is not suffering from any symptoms, he is normal right now completely except some physical weakness.
Is it safe enough to go without operation? And if it is, how long it is safe?


Answer
Oh, that was a hard question! How low a grade? how big is his tumor? If it is a grade 1 tumor (1 of 4 possible grades where grade 4 is the worst) it will grow slowly. How much slowly is impossible for me to say. Tumors like patients are individuals not identical copies/clones. That can only be estimated by observations of its growth over time. Actually in my opinion the only person to make this decision is your father himself. For that he must be fully informed!

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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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