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Brain Tumors/pilocyitic astrocytoma

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Expert: - 7/13/2010


Question

post operation CT
Hello Sir,
Thank you for your guidance. I had a few more doubts in my case which i had posted earlier(pilocytic astrocytoma-grade1). I would like to know the life expectancy of a person would be? i read up articles saying that a person lives upto 10 years maximum.is that true?Since i'm supposed to get married next year i want to know when should i consider getting married? the person i'm marrying is well aware of my condition and is very supportive. and will i be able to lead a normal family life in terms of pregnancy? will it pass to my children tomorrow? what are the chances of recurrence. The doctors say 90% was removable and it was cystic in nature,not easily seperable and not easily demarkated.I would like to know if these tumors are benign or malignant in nature? and what are the side effects of radiation if i have to undergo it? what would you say about treatments like gamma knife? is it a painful procedure. I attaching a copy of my post operative CT scan report. kindly assess the same.thank you.
regards
ameera(India)

Answer
Thanks! Around 10 years is a good estimate but it may be somewhat shorter or even somewhat longer. However the remaining tumor MAY change to a higher grade (more malignant lesion) during that time span and that would change prognosis drastically. Your lesion must be considered malignant though not very much so especially at present. The most obvious side effect of conventional radiation therapy is brain swelling (like a sun burn). That can be treated with corticosteroid drugs. In the shape you are now you can get pregnant and deliver a baby. There are no known hereditary risks for brain tumors. In the long run your risks that it will come back are rather high. Well 10% (or around that figure) of your tumor must be considered to be still present. Its size (in centimeters) as judged by your CT brain scan is not too big for GammaKnife treatment. To judge that better you should also have an MRI brain scan as already suggested by your radiologist! So a GammaKnife treatment is definitely a possibility in order to remove your remaining tumor without any surgery. 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.

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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