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Brain Tumors/Treatment Options for Inoperable Astrocytoma
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Question
My 23 year-old daughter has been diagnosed with two inoperable astroocytoma around her thalamus. She had a shunt put into her right ventricle, then had 6 weeks of Tomo Radiation therapy, and a little more than a month after the radiation was completed she had to have a shunt put into her left ventricle because an MRI showed that ventricle was obstructed and enlarging. The MRI showed that the tumors have increased since an MRI taken in the middle of her radiation therapy course. Her neurosurgeon says there is nothing more that can be done. Is that true? He says chemotherapy is ineffective against these tumors and surgery "would kill her" (his words). Would Gammaknife or Cyberknife be an option, or am I grasping at straws? Thank you in advance for your consideration.
I'm sorry to read about her - and your - problems! You do not mention how big these tumors are. However GammaKnife & CyberKnife treatments and proton beams are only possible for rather small tumors - around an inch in size. With malignant tumors - like here - that restriction is even more pronounced since a big enough margin is necessary! So unfortunately her neurosurgeon is probably right. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you for your extremely prompt response. I wish there had been better news, but we need to know the truth, so we can plan appropriately. | ||
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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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