Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/28/2010

Question
Dr. Nordquist, in the recent past you have given us some very straight answers to some very difficult questions that the doctors here have been unwilling to address regarding my husband's intramedullary thoracic astrocytoma and am hoping you can help again.  It is believed that it is a Grade 2, although since no one is willing to biopsy it, that is uncertain.  While he is still mobile, he is in severe back/chest pain, has difficulty walking and has several intracranial symptoms as well, although nothing shows on the brain scan only the thoracic mass.  Recently though he began to experience severe urinary retention and erectile dysfunction.  He is also getting more tired.  We understand these are late stage symptoms for a tumor from this location.  This tumor has been untreated due to other medical issues and because of it's location.  What are we looking at and how soon?  Paralysis? Also what lifespan timeframe are we looking at weeks?  Months?  Thank you so much for your repeated help.

Answer
If indeed it is a grade 2 (II) tumor it should grow rather slowly. Over time it may change grade though to a higher number (3 or 4) and due to that start growing faster and in a more aggressive fashion. However its grade seems uncertain. How long is it known that he has had this tumor? Yes those symptoms may directly or indirectly be caused by his condition. In the long run he may also become paralyzed from the level of his tumor and down. Eventually his tumor will kill him. Since its grade is uncertain I do not dare to give you any timespan estimate.




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