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Brain Tumors/pilocytic brain tumor

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Expert: - 7/12/2010


Question

brain 1
Hello Sir,
I'm 25 years old  and have been operated for a brain tumor in the frontal parietal lobe . the size of the tumor was 5cm x 5 cm. i was operated and the histopathology report states is it pilocytic astrocytoma (grade 1) . i was feeling numbness in my left hand. hence i decided to visit a neuro physican. now i feel absoluteley fine. its been 1 n 1/2 month since surgery. my mid line shift is normal. but the doctor says that more than 90% of the tumor could be removed. as it would affect the normal brain tissue. i would like to know the chances of recurrence and what grade would it recur if it does?. The MIB labeling index is less than 2% . what does that mean. ? I will be taking a second opinion. Doctors have said i wont be needing chemo or radiation. What do you suggest?and could you tell me more about this tumor

Answer
Well if its grade is only a 1 (I) its prognosis is good - for a brain tumor. It may come back but if so probably only after MANY years. MIB is an index of how often the tumor cells of your tumor divide (so a measurement of its growth) and 2% is low. Your doctors are probably waiting with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for the moment if and when it does come back. Waiting with radiation also makes more surgery then possible. If you have radiation therapy now more surgery later will not be possible. To give radiation now or later is even so a rather hard choice but I can accept the reasoning of your doctors. You should have regularly repeated MRI brain scans in the future in order to follow any development. It is never wrong to get a second opinion! 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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