Question 1

can anyone tell me does radiation or chemo actually offer a decent quality of life for the limited life expectancy of a stage 4 glioma brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Yes: For many patients (not all) surgery, then radiation with chemotherapy, and "maintenance" chemotherapy can give a good quality of life for a period of time for patients with grade IV astrocytomas.  Half of all patients with current best therapy for these tumors live over a year, and most of that time should be reasonably good quality unless the tumor has caused irreversible neurological deficits.

Question 2

i have an inoperable brain tumor; radiation did not help?. don't know what my options are anymore

Accepted Answer

More info: What specific kind of brain tumor? Was it a glioblastoma?  Did you see a medical oncologist?  Some chemotherapy drugs may give you some quality of life if the tumor is sensitive to them.  An experimental study may be of great interest to you, depending on what kind of brain tumor you have.

See http://tinyurl.com/l84zx9m for details.

Question 3

how big does a brain tumor have to be for a doctor to decide that it is inoperable?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It really depends on multiple factors, especially type of tumor and location.

Question 4

possible stage 4 brain tumor when neuro test good (ref vision strength) when main symptomp is hip pain and leg weakness!?

Accepted Answer

Brain tumor: Not the normal presentation but anything is possible.  See your regular doctor for further evaluation.

Question 5

dad,oscar,was told stage 4 lung cancer 2.5 wks ago. 1/3 sz brain tumor removed. 3 brain lesions. in bones&pos liver. would u cyperknife brain tomorrow?

Accepted Answer

It depends: If you are 76, your Dad must be late 80s or early 90s.  At such an advanced age it may not be worth being so aggressive with terminal cancer that at such advanced stage means he has only few weeks to few months left. However, if his desire is to be aggressive, Cyberknife is an effective an low risk procedure and I would recommend it highly. Otherwise, hospice care is very appropriate.

Question 6

when it comes to inoperable brain tumors, has any research been done on using micro dots of snake or spider venom to kill the tumor?

Accepted Answer

Cruel fraud: Scorpion and spider venom have been investigated for drug delivery and there are some reports, but it's still preliminary research. Anyone offering this to you is offering a remedy that is untested and almost certain not to work. Don't spend too much money on it. Having a brain tumor is brutal enough without some huckster taking advantage of your desperation.

Question 7

stage 4 mastatic colon cancer, multiple tumors and organs removed (2 surgeries) an inoperable tumor and c diff. 54 yr old woman. life expectancy?

Accepted Answer

Can't predict: I might choose comfort measures only for myself, and spend my last few days or weeks finishing up what i could. Someone else might choose aggressive management with something avant-garde and last five years. What i hope is that you will cherish whatever time you have left with this person.

Question 8

what is the life expectancy of cerebellum stage 4 tumor?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Primary brain cancers aren't staged i-iv so you may be talking about a cancer from somewhere else that spread to the brain.  Would also depend on how extensive the tumor is in the brain, if the primary cancer has been controlled, and if there are other sites where the cancer had spread.

Question 9

can the life span of a person who has a brain tumor cancer be measured?

Accepted Answer

Too many factors: To answer that question here. The type of tumor, tumor aggressiveness, whether its a primary brain tumor or metastasis, and other medical conditions of the patient all play into that calculus. Your neurosurgeon or oncologist may be able to give you some general guidelines.

Question 10

how often is a benign "meningioma" brain tumor life threatening? ( please give straight forward answers) i really don't need useless information now.

Accepted Answer

Depends entirely: On size, rate of growth, and your symptoms.  Without knowing details, it is impossible to say more.  Consult a neurosurgeon with all details for specific answers to your questions.

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Doctor answers about:

Stage 4 inoperable brain tumor life expectancy

A member asked:

Can anyone tell me does radiation or chemo actually offer a decent quality of life for the limited life expectancy of a stage 4 glioma brain tumor?

A member asked:

I have an inoperable brain tumor; radiation did not help?. don't know what my options are anymore

A member asked:

How big does a brain tumor have to be for a doctor to decide that it is inoperable?

A member asked:

Possible stage 4 brain tumor when neuro test good (ref vision strength) when main symptomp is hip pain and leg weakness!?

A member asked:

Dad,oscar,was told stage 4 lung cancer 2.5 wks ago. 1/3 sz brain tumor removed. 3 brain lesions. in bones&pos liver. would u cyperknife brain tomorrow?

A member asked:

When it comes to inoperable brain tumors, has any research been done on using micro dots of snake or spider venom to kill the tumor?

A member asked:

Stage 4 mastatic colon cancer, multiple tumors and organs removed (2 surgeries) an inoperable tumor and c diff. 54 yr old woman. life expectancy?

A member asked:

What is the life expectancy of cerebellum stage 4 tumor?

A member asked:

Can the life span of a person who has a brain tumor cancer be measured?

A member asked:

How often is a benign "meningioma" brain tumor life threatening? ( please give straight forward answers) i really don't need useless information now.

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