Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: my mother is 55 and has been diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma tumor on the right hand side of her brain.  she has under-gone radiation treatment and chemo, to which we are not sure if it has helped yet.  as we are waiting on another scan.  my question is what are the side effects to this tumor?  she is experiencing very bad temperament problems, outbursts, freezing cold a few times a day even during hot weather and rage problems also.  are these from the tumor and how bad will it get.  she has been diagnosed since march of this year and her life expectancy is 1 year from then.  i would appreciate some information if you could.

yours sincerely and gratefully
v. Walton

ANSWER: Yes a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme can expect to survive around 1 year with treatment. Unfortunately such complications as you describe are not uncommon in these cases. The only way to deal with them if necessary is by medication. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!


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QUESTION: what other side effects are we going to have to deal with? and what will her final months be like? i am asking these questions because i live on my own with my mother and i am only 21. i will need help when things get worse and don't know where to start looking for help..i live in Ireland in the midlands. i appreciate your help and honesty in answering my questions

v walton

Answer
Apart from those you already have noticed she may have stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. She will become more and more confused and sleep more and more. When she sleeps all the time her end will be near. She will then drift into a coma and then pass away. There will be little pain  - if any. I'm sorry I'm not familiar with Irish conditions (outside the UK) - I'm a Swede living in Sweden - so unfortunately I can not help you with any advice where to turn for help. But that you will need help is quite clear! She will soon be more and more bedridden. And in order to take care of that, hygiene, helping her to eat etc she will soon need help corresponding to a full time job. If you have to take care of a job of your own and of yourself things will soon become impossible. But where to get help in Ireland in this situation I do not know unfortunately. Can not her dr. give you advice? Or your parish or a social worker?