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Brain Tumors/pilocyitic astrocytoma

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Expert: - 9/21/2010


Question
Dr. I have been told to do an MRI in nov. to check if its a
residue or regrowth. The operating doctor says ir recurrence
but other docs i have asked say it looks like a residue as
pilocytic tumors dont grow this fast ie. may i was operated
and in 3 months it would grow to 2 cm . Intially it was 5
cm. The Dr. does not suggest any gamma knife neither am i
advised to take any radio or chemo. The doc said i might
need a corrective surgery . but that will be decided by the
doc. I would like to know is this a benign one? and how long
does it take to regrow.?

Answer
Everything that is called an astrocytoma is a malignant tumour. How much malignant depends on its grade which I do not know. GammaKnife may be possible but to evaluate that I need to know its size in all 3 dimensions. It is probably a residue combined with regrowth. Another surgery will probably be necessary. Tumours like patients are individuals not identical copies/clones. So it is impossible to give you any kind of regrowth time estimate. If you can tell me the grade of your tumour I'll be more able to do so since growth rate is correlated to grade.







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Brain Tumors

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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.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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