Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 2/12/2012

Question
QUESTION: What is the "correct, accurate and realistic" prognosis and estimated time of survival for an anaplastic meningioma Grade 3? Please be very honest.

About a year ago close family member has been diagnosed with this brain cancer and we would like to know if the Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist is being truthful to us. We would like to know what to expect. Currently the family member has gone through complete removal of the brain tumor and radiation. Getting stronger and hoping to go back to her normal life. (Work, school, social activities).

Please let me know and be as honest and truthful as possible. We want to know what to prepare for in our near future or if we will be able to enjoy a longer future with our love one.

Thank you so much for your response.

ANSWER: If it indeed is a malignant anaplastic meningioma (and since it has been removed and probably has been studied by pathologists that should be known with certainty) it is not as easy and simple as with a normal meningioma (which usually is NOT malignant). So even with radiation therapy added I can not guarantee a cure and if not cured the prognosis is bad. A cure is possible but not sure. More can unfortunately not be said at present. It will either succeed or it will not. Only time can tell. In a single case like this it is rather useless to discuss statistics. So it will either cure her or it will not. And if not it will eventually kill her. So I do hope her treatment will turn out to have been successful! Good luck!


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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Her Oncologist told gave her an estimated time of survival of 18 months to 24 months the most. Do you agree with this. He said there is no cure. The cancer will come back and when it does there will not be much he can do. With complete removal and radiation therapy there is not much that can be done after this.

Is this correct and do you agree with this???

Thank you.

Answer
That may be right based on her pathology report - which I have not seen. It is anyway quite possible unfortunately.



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