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Brain Tumors/survival time left

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Expert: - 2/6/2011


Question
My wife was diagnosed with AA grade 3 in September 2009. She under went surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. The doctor said after surgery he was unable to remove anything other than some biopsy samples. Before surgery she could talk and walk, but after surgery she has no speech or mobility on right side. She has undergone rehab radiation and chemo but no improvement in quality of life. She is 57 years old and is getting weaker and eating very little. She is getting more confused and sleeping a lot through the day. Her doctor wants to increase chemo dose. My question is will this help or is it just a waste of time. We really don't get any answers from the doctor on how long she has. How long do you feel like she has left so we can prepare ourselves for the outcome.

Answer
More chemo will probably only have marginal effect. On the other hand that is all that is available. Her remaining life span can most probably - at most - be measured in a few months. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!




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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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