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Question
My mother was diagnosed with terminal melanoma in March having undergone surgery to remove a mole from her leg in Aug 08 and lymph node dissection in Oct 08. The original prognosis was that she was expected to have around 6 months to live as it had spread to lymph nodes in both groins, multiple areas of the skin, the spleen and the lungs. She received one course of chemotherapy before the results of her brain scan showed that she has multiple brain lesions. The ONC has said that her prognosis has now significantly worsened and that as such she has a much shorter time to live but he has not said how long he thinks this may be. She has been offered palliative radiotherapy and is considering this option, in your experience how much time do you think she now has? Her cognitive ability is deteriorating with loss of balance and confusion, she already has COPD. Also would you recommend radiotherapy in light of the side effects that this will cause? Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Probably at most a couple of months - but it may be shorter. Malignant melanomas are usually not very sensitive to chemotherapy or to radiation therapy. So I doubt that she would get much help from such treatment. There are side effects too but my objections are mainly based on the very high probability that she would not be helped by such treatment.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I am unable to rate knowledge as I have none myself. Clarity of response was perfect, along with timing and politeness. Whilst I underestand that theres not much that can be said I was surprised that the reply was so short but thank you for your advice. | ||
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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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