Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/22/2010

Question
Dr Nordquist, I recently asked you about my cousin who was diagnosed aprox 1 year ago with a brain tumor at the base of her brain.  She told us that it is inoperable "but that is OK". In the past year it would seem that her body is breaking down little by little.  There are issues with almost every internal organ and she has just undergone a pelvic nerve block also, she is on tons of RX's and the Dr's have now stopped her IVIG treatments.  She suffers from many kinds of headaches and is dizzy 24/7 and is becoming aggressive and very forgetful of the simplest things, such as what year it is.

* You had said you required further information and what we've come up with is that it is a grade 3 or 4 and is 4cm.  My sister seems to remember something about her pituitary gland and we also just found out that my cousin is now doing "nerve blocks in the head"

We are hoping you can give us some insight as to whether we should be "preparing" as she tell us "I'm doing good"

Answer
If what she has indeed is a grade 3 or 4 malignant brain tumor it is very bad indeed with a hopeless prognosis and her remaining life span can most probably at most be measured in months. You mentioned that her tumor is at the base of her brain. Her pituitary is indeed at the base of her brain but her pituitary can be surgically operated since it can be reached via her mouth, nose & sinuses. Other areas of the base of her brain are however not so easily accessible.



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