Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Good Morning Dr Nordquist,

My Grandmother was diagnosed last week with a Gliomas Tumor.
After being rushed in to hospital with paralysis on her left side, confusion and dizziness, she has spent the last 3weeks in hospital.
She has since been put on medication which has reduced the inflammation and her laft hand is moving again aswell as the facial drooping is not quite as bad as originally.
Last week we were advised that the tumor was inoperable.
The only thing they can do is to try radium (radiotherapy?)
and obviously there are no definates that this will reduce the swelling.
The tumor is big and above the right lobe. It is pushing on the blood vessels which is why they will not operate.
I am just looking for a realistic opinion - obviously you cannot determine a time frame from just this information - would you kindly just let me know your thoughts?
Anything is much appreciated.
Also, the paralysis was brought on by a stroke.

Kind regards

ANSWER: I'm sorry to read of her problems! Actually she has 2 problems here. 1. A stroke with an uncertain outcome and 2. A brain tumour (glioma). The first problem (1.) is outside my area of expertise here (ONLY brain tumours) but it does complicate things making her situation MOST uncertain). With regards to her problem no. 2 I do need to know: 1. The EXACT location of her tumour? 2. Its size? 3. What is the exact diagnosis so far (glioma is a very wide diagnosis covering many things)? 4. What is its estimated GRADE? Without this information it is impossible unfortunately to be able to contribute anything of value.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

I have just spent the last 5 days with my Grandma.
I have spoken at length and it was diagnosed that there was no stroke - the paralysis was down to the tumor itself.
I have also found out that the tumor is a Glioblastoma tumor.
I described the tumor as star shaped - the most important part of this news is that there are many roots growing out from the tumor hence it being inoperable.
I have no more information as to the location - the scar from the Biopsy is just higher than her eye on the right side of her hairline.
She has an appointment for Radiology today and they are talking about 8 possible sessions.
Cuurently she is on 6mg of Doxycycline (i think that is correct).
Her dose was 8mg but they have reduced it as she is more controlled at the moment.  We took her home and she is settled, still having issues with her short term memory and struggling to move around on her own.
Is there anything further you can tell me from this information?
The biggest question everyone is asking is how much time do we have left?
Thanks so much for this, it is a huge comfort.

Abi
x

Answer
Ok. If it is a glioblastoma (multiforme) tumour it is probable that she has at most a survival time of one year ahead of her, maybe (probably) less. More is impossible to tell you without more information. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!