Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 4/17/2010

Question
Dear Dr. Nordquist,

I am writing about my aunt who lives in Russia, and was iagnosed with anaplastic
astrocytoma grade 3.
She is 40 years old. The tumor is 5x5x3 cm in volume. The diagnosis
happened in the beginning of July, 2009, and she started radiotherapy treatment
at the beginning of August, 2009. She also went through 7 cycles of Temodar (temodal) between then and now (April, 2010). According to her doctors in Russia, her tumor has not grown.

What should we do next? There are very few patients in Stavropol (city in southern Russia where my aunt lived) that have taken Temodal. Doctors don't have experience with Temodal. My aunt's doctor said that she only had 2 patients in all her practicing career that have taken Temodal (my aunt is the second patient).

Could you give any recommendation? Do you know of any colleagues of your who practice in Russia or could recommend a specialist in Russia that has worked with the drug before. Perhaps, you know a specialist in AA.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time and help!
Best regards,
Valerie

Answer
Dear Valerie, unfortunately I do not know any doctor at all in Russia. The diagnosis here is very serious. An anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3 is a malignant brain tumor with a bad prognosis. Was no surgery done before her radiation therapy and chemotherapy? Even with full treatment (surgery, radiation therapy & chemotherapy) the prognosis is very bad. That is true anywhere and everywhere in the world too. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!




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