Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/6/2009

Question
My husand was diagnosed with Oligodendroglioma tumor in right frontal lobe, Feb 2007, had surgery to remove, then radiation treatment. Was found to be low grade, slow growing,told most likely had many years. Now 2009, started getting seizures, change in behaviour. CT scan show has now moved to left side of brain, has changed and is now more aggressive, doctor says surgery not an option, will begin chemo treatment of 285 mg of Temodal, how long do you suspect he will survive? What will happen when he does pass? Will I know when the time is coming?

Answer
I'm sorry to read about his and your problems! Unfortunately it is impossible to give you a more precise timetable, mainly because I do not know HOW aggressive it now is after its change (= its new GRADE), but also because there are always uncertainties involved here and both tumors and patients are individuals not identical copies/clones. But an educated guess is around one to two years at most. So it may also be shorter. Over time he will become more and more confused, may show stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits and he will sleep more and more. When he sleeps all the time his end is near. He will then drift into a coma and then pass away. There will be little pain - if indeed any. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!