You are here:

Brain Tumors/astrocytoma

Advertisement


Question
My friend who's 25years is diagonised with infiltrative front of an astrocytoma grade II-III. And the pathology report says, "in other areas diffuse astrocytoma of sparsely cellular form is noted reflecting relatively slow progression" what is your opinion regarding this?

Answer
Well, I'm sorry to read about your & your friend's problem! Brain tumours are often difficult to grade but at the same time the grade usually determines the survival time of the patient. A grade II (2) can with treatment (if possible) survive for many years while a grade III (3) can usually only survive a few years at best even with full treatment (if possible) and a grade IV (4) only for about one year even with full treatment. In the pathology report some more evidence is given that this MAY be a slowly growing tumour, but the whole thing is uncertain. That is unfortunately all I can tell you!

Brain Tumors

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.