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Brain Tumors/Fibrillary Grade II Astrocytomas

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Expert: - 11/21/2007


Question
My mother had been diagonised of a  Fibrillary Grade II Astrocytoma. She had undergone surgery and the tumor was removed partially. It has been 5 years since her surgery.A recent MRI report states that there is a growth? Can u pls tellme wat are the available options in front of us? Is this life threatning?

Answer
In the long run it is. But a grade II astrocytoma is slowly growing - as your mother's long survival time indicates (it is in fact so long that I'm in some doubt about its grade, it may even be a grade I - brain tumors are often difficult to grade). It is the grade that determines survival time, though surgery, radiation therapy and chemo therapy may prolong it. Low grade (I & II) have longer survival times while high grade (III & IV) have much shorter (IV rarely over one year). In this situation you should discuss with her dr. what further therapy is possible (more surgery?, radiation therapy?, chemo therapy?) in her case, but a cure is unfortunately most probably out of the question. There is of course also the option of doing nothing, since it is probably growing slowly. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

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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.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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