Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/22/2009

Question
Hello Dr.
I am back again with more questions regarding my brother's grade II brain tumor.He has to undergo radiation as well chemo therapy.I would like to know about chemo drugs for treatment of grade II brain tumor.If FISH PANEL TEST is negative,what will be the option then? Can you please suggest me some name of pharmacuetical company (USA) who manufactures chemo drugs or may be drug name itself.My  brother's oncologist has given us option to choose between drug by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories India (as we live in India)and drug from USA company.Your advice will be of extreme help.Thank you so much for your valuable suggestions in advance.

Answer
Thanks! However, by principle I NEVER give detailed advice on drugs involved in any chemotherapy here because that can ONLY the dr. in charge of the treatment do who has all relevant medical facts available (which I do not) and a ship can ONLY have ONE (1) captain and you are not helped by the not fully informed advice by a back seat driver! So this is something you MUST discuss with his dr.! Furthermore I'm not an American. I'm a Swede living in Sweden. I know what is available here not what is available in India or the US. But both radiation therapy & chemotherapy should be given. With a daily treatment of 200 cGy 5 days per week his radiation treatment will probably take 4 to 5 weeks. If a higher dose is given his treatment will most probably not take more than 6 weeks maximum.