Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/21/2007

Question
Doctor,

I have a concerned family member and I ask my question out of curiosity and a desire to learn as much as I can on this subject.

My main question is in regards to tumor growth time. I understand higher grade grows faster, but from nothing to something that causes symptoms, how long does that kind of growth take in a grade 2, 3, 4?

I ask this question because my family member had a normal brain ct about a year ago, done because of headaches. Is it possible for something to have sprung up? Is it likely?

This family member is a male in his mid twenties. He is currently having some tingling in his left arm and feels like his vision in his left eye is wierd, sees dark shadows, however he went to the optometrist a week ago and the optometrist said everything looked normal.

I have read elsewhere  that GBM in younger patients typically has evolved from a lower grade tumor. In your experience would you say this statement generally holds true?

Thanks for your dedication and expertise!


Jon

Answer
Tumors like people are individuals not clones. So growth rates are different from case to case. It is not impossible but not probable. Even so he should let a neurologist check him. There are other diagnostic possibilities apart from brain tumors! MS for example! An MRI scan should be able to settle with certainty if any tumor is present or not! What GBM-s come from is not known. Yes a low grade brain tumor may develop into a high grade one but many GBM-s are found at initial diagnosis.
Good luck!