Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
This is phani here this is about my father's health,he undergone a tumor surgery in 2004 we came to know that its a metastatic carcinoma tumor at stage 4(unknown primary), they removed maximum tumor from the brain and follows 4sittings radiation he took. very recently he developed a symptoms like loss of memory,excessive talk, severe shoulder pain etc.,fortunately he completed 4yrs without any complications  daily hes attending his duties..everything was normal..in these 4yrs. doctors are saying that he got a mild brain stroke.what could be the reason for this stroke and need to know the survival..rate.

ANSWER: Actually I'm astonished that he is still alive. Normally in a situation like this - even with surgery & radiation therapy etc - the patient's survival time can be measured in months. A stroke can happen to anyone (I have had one myself) and it is most doubtful if his has anything to do with his tumor or its treatment. However strokes are outside my area of expertise here. So you should direct this question to an expert of neurology here.


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QUESTION: he is not taking any medicine since last 4+yrs,except Sodium Valproate(encorate brand name) 500mg OD.

Answer
That is VERY strange. In my experience (and in all text books) with a cancer that has spread to the brain you are dead within months regardless of therapy! Do you have his pathology report from his brain surgery available? If you have I would like to read it please! you can copy it here.