Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/14/2011

Question
My mother has been diaganosed w/ level 3 astrocytoma. She has had her crainiotomy and is about to start her radiation/chemo joint therapy. The doctor said they were only able to remove 90% of the tumor and that it will grow back as ted kennedy's level tumor. I am afraid that she will not be able to speak or let her wishes be known once her treatment starts. Will this treatment incapacitate her to the point she will not think correctly. We still need to visit an attorney to get her "estate" together and all of her wishes down on paper to make them valid in the state she now lives (FL).

Answer
Her big problem is her tumor, not its treatment. Yes unfortunately it will probably grow back within a time span of around 2 years (based on that it seems to be a grade 3 malignant tumor). However radiation therapy does have some side effects. The important one here is some brain swelling. That can be reduced with corticosteroid medication (cortisone) but that too may have some side effects. However even without cortisone the brain swelling is a temporary problem during and some time after radiation therapy. Without radiation therapy and chemotherapy the regrowth would be even faster. Already her brain surgery affects her brain in a somewhat similar way as radiation does. Yes for all eventualities it is best to have all these matters in order as soon as possible - even if it is certainly not sure that she will be that much incapacitated.



You can also reach me at: http://www.liveperson.com/professional/expert-profile.aspx?gsBMQvSJ0S4K1haAm6AtH
There is no limit to the number of questions there. Please note: NEW SITE!