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Brain Tumors/About Grade II Astrocytoma

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Expert: - 11/6/2007


Question
Hello,
Recent one of my relative under gone the surgery for brain tumor. The pathology report categorized to Gr II astrocytoma.
They suggest for next treatment as Radiotherapy. please suggest me the pros and cons of the radiotherapy. is it harm to existing immune system? Is Grade II Astrocytoma a type of cancer. If we go for Radiotherapy will it be completely curable? Please help me.

Answer
ALL malignant brain tumors have a bad prognosis even with all possible treatment. The survival time is mainly determined by the grade of the tumor. A low grade tumor (grade 1 to 2 - like in this case) can survive much longer with therapy - probably several years - than a high grade tumor (grade 3 to 4) where survival time even with all therapy can be as short as a year after treatment. However in order to get a few years of survival time surgery alone is NOT enough! Radiation therapy MUST also be given! Only the head is treated so there are no major effects on the immune system. There may be hair loss, temporary or permanent and dryness of the mouth. During treatment there may be some brain swelling with head ache and maybe even some confusion but that can be treated with corticosteroids for some time. Radiation therapy is NECESSARY!!! But, unfortunately, NOTHING can at present cure this completely!

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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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