You are here:

Brain Tumors/thoracic tumor

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/2/2010


Question
My husband had type 1 diabetes for 34 years with severe hypoglycemic reactions.  On Christmas of 2008, he received an SPK transplant.  Six weeks later, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor from the T4 to the T7 after a routine physical showed some involuntary spasming.  Other than this, he was asymptomatic.  In diagnosing the tumor, they performed a contrast MRI and a lumbar puncture.  A biopsy was not done.  Unable to determine the cause they said it was most likely Transverse Meylitis.  However in the past year, he has grown significantly more symptomatic including numbness in his hands at night, a regular twitch in his legs when sitting, joint pain and difficulty when first standing after sitting.  He has also experienced uncontrollable chills without fever more recently.  He has also had a very low immune system for the past two months down as low as 1.8 and currently at 3.8 and had to take Neupigin shots.  It was attributed to the anti-rejection meds, but has never returned to its previous levels.  He is due to go back in for follow up on the tumor this month, but is it possible that this is spinal cancer as it obviously does not fall in with the symptoms of transverse meylitis since it did not have a set active phase?  As I said, a biopsy was never performed.

Answer
Well without a biopsy we can not be sure of any diagnosis. And without knowing what we are dealing with we can not know what to do! So in my humble opinion a biopsy - if at all possible - is necessary. He should discuss this with a neurosurgeon. Good luck!


You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128     There is no restriction to the number of questions there.

Brain Tumors

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.