Brain Tumors

[lawguil]

Is there any hope for glioblastoma and other brain tumors?

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[Samoa]

Is there any hope for glioblastoma and other brain tumors?

yes.

 

[mpp]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "other brain tumors".

The prognosis for glioblastoma (and brain metastases but that's a different story) remains bleak although there has definitely been some minor breakthroughs with temozolomide and implantable nitrosurea...something that actually make a difference in survival length over placebo, albeit a small one. There is yet to be randomized controlled trials combining both treatments. Adding advanced radiotherapy techniques (like boron capture) and aggresive surgical resection may eventually add up to some longer survival. But no magic bullet yet.

For other brain tumors prognosis is general much better. It's just unfortunate that glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor.

 

[em232002]

But despite the survival of the current treatment methods, what it the extent of the morbidity that the patient likely incurs from such invasive procedures like a craniotomy with resection?

 

[mpp]

The extent of the morbidity depends on the extent of the tumor resection and location. Then there are the low inherent risks of surgery such as infection, bleeding, and the risks of anesthesia.

 

[betz]

If a patient has GBM, their survival without any intervention is likely around a few months (like 1-3). With resection only (keep in mind you cant fully resect these things, just debulk them really), add a couple months. If the patient gets debulking, chemo (including gliadel wafer implants), plus radiation, the usual prognosis is still right under one year. The patient has to understand this, and understand what they are signing up for with all the available treatments.

As mpp mentioned, GBM is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. The others, it just depends on what it is as to what the prognosis would be.

 

[alternateseason]

I am continually fascinated by the fruitful collaborations of neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists. The fact is that the vast institutions mandate that the neurosurgeon be physically present during the patient's radiation treatments, and my observation is that both specialties have a profound respect for each other.

Cho KH, Hall WA, Lo SS, Dusenbery KE. Stereotactic radiosurgery versus fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy boost for patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2004 Feb;3(1):41-9.