Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/6/2012

Question
avoid malpractice in case hubby dies or something ) However , we knew he should have reffered us, even if ;they would say the same. fInally got a refferal from hu;bbys general doc to the big teaching hospital, of course everythings been closed for 3 or 4 days over the last two holiday weekends, so whole process has been slowed. Still waiting for the second opinion, that will take another week. Would at least like to have them verify the diagnosis obviulsly. My research shows treatment they w ould offer will probably be the same, but hey diagnosis for soe,thikng this big shoulf be verified, even though yes its danger Ious walking around with a big tumour.. so bottom line, were waiting for a second opinion, but mostly having ahard time deciding between partial removal and full (gross resection) Full will involve probably neurolopgical damage to whole left side, mostly arm, maybe leg. We dont like the maybe leg part at all, arm could maybe live with, and quality of life other complex issues, have a kid at home,etc. Partial seems to be associated with shorter life span and my question to you is why? The follo up treatments for bot types sounded alike. Wait a few weeks, have I think whole brain radiation and ;then I think chemo.  Did he maybe mean the radiation treatment timing protocol was the same but that they do larger doses of radiation on the partial removal since theres more tumour left to try to "treat"? Thus would that be why you live less long? Or, in your experince are people dying sooner of the tumour related issues of cranial pressures and comas in this 6 month to 1 year window? My husb and is super healthy except for the reaction to the steroids, cant sleep at all. Before that he was totally fine exccept for the arm presening motor problems. Were leaning towards partial becasue we wwant good quality of life and apparently these gliomas tend ot advamce or come back more often than not ( though the stats are confusing on mortality as is the "2 year and 5 year survival rate, figu;sred out those who survive are not followed an? d survival rate means they are still alive, not DYING0 at the 2 or 5 year mark as the term is read by many) Bottomline, is the follow up treatment the same for radiation and chemo for advanced astroplatic astrocyma or gliobastoma? I want to know, becasue my husband is otherwise healthy and though not in denial I believe he can last longer than 6 months. Also how bad is the radiation and do you honestly believe thats what they die from or the tumour or a combinationo of both? Be honest please. THanks!

Answer
Well Margaret, this was a long question. To answer it well I would need to know THE EXACT DIAGNOSIS of his tumor so far, its GRADE and if possible its size and exact location in his brain. In general the survival time is longer with complete surgical removals than with partial since the radiation and chemo then have less tumor mass to fight. It is evident that it is the tumor not the treatment that kills patients even though that too has side effects. That is all I can tell you so far.



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!

Donations are also always welcome! No amount is too small, no amount is too big!