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Brain Tumors/GBM Level 4 (bone flap removed/replaced)

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Expert: - 9/18/2009


Question

Matthew's tumor
My husband was diagnosed May 4th with a tumor, May 6 was told it is GBM also had resection of 60% which at the time was size of a racket ball. Went back into surgery May 8th due to lots of swelling and had bone flap removed. Took 72 days to recover from surgery and complications. August 14 had another resection of the tumor and replaced bone flap the tumor at resection was larger than a softball and was told 1 inch deep and deeper in other areas. The removal this time around was 60-70%. The tumor has also moved to the middle of the brain (communication of the right and left sides) The tumor is also located in the right frontal lobe. This is one large tumor.
I do alot of my own research and listen very close to the doctors, but what they won't give me is an honest answer to survival rate. His age is 34 and has no additional health issues at all. The seizures didn't start until after the first surgery. I understand that is it not "IF" but "When" GBM will take another life, what I don't have is an estimate with his particular condition.
I also would like to know where to find information on GBM patients who had bone flap removed for over 4 months and then replaced. During this time he only had 2 rounds of chemo no radiation. Chemo was stopped due to waiting on surgery, now surgery is over and he has to wait another 4 weeks before treatment can begin again.

Please help with how long you really think he has, and where I can find additional information closer to his medical condition.

Answer
I'm sorry to read about his - and your - problems! Yes every patient with this diagnosis has unfortunately at present this sad and bad prognosis. At most a patient with this diagnosis receiving full treatment (surgery, radiation therapy & chemotherapy) survive around one year or a little more from the primary treatment - without any treatment the survival time is considerably shorter. Here where so far it has not been possible to give full treatment that time will probably be somewhat shorter but it is impossible to tell you exactly how much shorter. All his complications are rather rare so I'm unaware of any similar patients or any statistics on this situation. I suggest that you try the Merck Manual on the Web. I'm sorry I'm unable to give you any better information!

Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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