Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 11/30/2007

Question
My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.  It originated in the sinus area and was treated a few years back, but since has enlarged and spread to the brain.  The tumor is in the frontal lobe.  I've been doing some reading and see that she has limited options.  Her doctor said she can have radiation, but that most likely will only making her more mobile while not actually kill the cancer.  Some of the articles I've read say that a side effect of radiation is mental retardation.  The previous cancer treatments lead to her loss of eyesight and she has already having cognitive behavior loss.  I'm favoring just having hospice care help her live out what time she has left as peacefully as possible, but I wanted to get your thoughts on if treatment is plausible.

Answer
Well her problem is her cancer not any dementia which under normal circumstances is a rare side effect! So if she was my mother I would definitely ok any radiation therapy, BUT I would do it in spite of being aware that it in this situation can not cure her, only relieve her symptoms for a time and to some extent and probably prolong her survival time to some extent. Radiation therapy is usually not causing much problems in situations like this. But of course the choice is not mine.