Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/22/2009

Question
Hello Doctor,
My uncle showed symptoms one year back and undergone a brain surgery, chemotherapy, radiation. All these are with in one year time.Doctors told that they cannot remove some part of the tumor. Last 6 months he was smart and energetic and he used to go to office also. All my family was too happy with his recovery. But last month he again started showing some symptoms like very late reply, taking too much time for food, shivering hands more over a missing appearance. CT scan reports are very disappointing, it says the growth again started and there is no other options in medical science. Is it a correct and final words? Is there any other possibility to return back him? If yes, what are they? If no, what will be the coming days?what are the stages left for him??Please advice

Answer
Unfortunately this is the normal proceeding of a malignant brain tumour. They are at present all incurable and eventually fatal. How fast the process is depends on the GRADE of his tumour. The higher the grade the faster it is. Of that you have not given me any information. But judged by your description of his situation and the history of his case I would be quite surprised if he will be alive one year from now. But he may also pass away much sooner. Unfortunately it is impossible to be more precise than that. All what surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can accomplish in these cases is a temporary relief of symptoms and an extended survival time. His drs. have given you a correct description and there are unfortunately at present no other options. He will become more and more confused, may show stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits perhaps. He will sleep more and more. When he sleeps all the time his end will be near. There will be little pain - if any. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!