Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/30/2011

Question
I'm just trying to understand.  My brother passed away with the above.  He had a seizure 15.03.11 and was diagnosed that he had 3 tumours. Had 5 doses of radiotherapy during April, on 10.05.11 was taken to hospital as he could not get himself up from his chair due to his arms being too weak, went down hill fast after he went to hospital and died on 24.05.11. He was also diabetic.  Would the tumours affect his walking. There's so many questions going round in my head which I haven't got the answers for. I'm trying to understand why he'd been ever so good and then in a matter of two weeks died.  I would be very grateful if you could give me some answers

Answer
Malignant melanomas are usually not very sensitive to radiation therapy or chemotherapy so if they spread to the brain treatment options are VERY limited at present and such a situation is likely to be a death sentence. Cancer attacks on the brain are almost always fatal unfortunately. The consequences of the situation you have described are unfortunately quite typical at present. I wish it was different but this is what it is here and now. Survival times in this situation are also short as you can see if you check my previous answers here. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!



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