Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 8/25/2007

Question
hi umm my uncle pete has just recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and the doctors can not operate until the swelling goes down which probably not gunna be until the next 7 days n they said if the swelling goes down they will be able to operate and maybe get some of the tumor out and they said that they will only give hima couple of months to live and i was wondering if u also agree with the doctors that are trying to heal my uncle?

Answer
Well, his prognosis depends on what kind of brain tumor he has got. A benign (non cancerous) brain tumor is most often curable. A malignant (cancerous) brain tumor is very often hopeless however regardless of what therapy is used or not. If that kind of tumor is present here no one can cure (heal) him unfortunately, the best any treatment can do in such a case is to prolong his survival somewhat! That is all. His drs. must have some information (by MRI scans?) on what kind of tumor he has got or they would not have stated any opinion on his prognosis before any surgery. But surgery will provide material for a pathology diagnosis which will give a firm basis for a prognosis evaluation. If your uncle wants any treatment at all including any surgery must be his choice and decision! Also radiation therapy & chemo therapy may be of some limited value like surgery but no more unfortunately. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!