Brain Tumors/melanoma

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Expert: - 9/9/2009


Question
My husband had a melanoma lesion on his forehead 2 1/2 years ago,
due to the fact he waited so long to go to a dr it was stage 3, a year later melanoma was found in his lung and colon and he had surgery on both, 2 months later it had gone to his brain and he had the gammaknife which did not work, then had brain surgery. he has never had any radiation or chemo, he is 73. The Drs always say they "got it all," so he is in denial about it all. He still has headaches from the brain surgery but not severe, what can you tell me about his prognosis and what should I expect to happen next? I would appreciate your honest opinion.   thank you

Answer
Malignant melanomas are usually not sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Interesting and promising trials are going on with immunotherapy but they are still very experimental. Unfortunately in this situation the prognosis is not hopeful. The risk is big that his cancer comes back also in his brain and treatment options (surgical) are limited. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

Brain Tumors

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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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