Just wondering. Everything I've read says it's terminal. Just want to know the facts. Thanks for any info you can offer.
2007-03-20 13:03:29 · 5 answers · asked by Amy 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Thanks for the answers so far. Toots, if you see this and wouldn't mind, would you email me? I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge with me. Thank you.
2007-03-20 15:15:23 · update #1
Treatment is not only to prolong life. Chemo and radiation can also be palliative. That means to relieve pain.
A brain tumor can be very painful and can cause visual, hearing, taste, balance, and motor disturbances among others.
Sometimes the treatment will shrink the tumor enough that a person can have a tolerable end-of-life without being drugged into insensibility. If a cancer victim can have a good death, it's worth the trouble and expense.
2007-03-20 15:40:50 · answer #1 · answered by XeXe's mom 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Amy, unfortunately glioblastoma (or GBM) is a tumor we just don't know how to cure yet. Even with a complete surgery and aggressive treatment afterwards, this is unfortunately a tumor that comes back agressively and can do so rapidly.
Radiation became 'standard' treatment after diagnosis and surgery because overall it improves survival, but on average may only be measured in weeks to months. More recently, a new drug Temodar (temozolomide) has been the biggest improvement in treating GBMs in decades.
Despite these treatments, we can't aim for cure but may be able to preserve neurologic function, prolong life and provide meaningful time with loved ones. This is not true for everyone, and sometimes the treatment makes the experience harder on people and their families than hospice care. This is where doctors should rely upon each person's knowledge of what's most important to him/her to make the right choices in a very difficult circumstance. I hope that helps address your question.
2007-03-20 23:30:39 · answer #2 · answered by subatomicdoc 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The treatments you mentioned along with surgery are intended to prolong the life of the patient. Even if the added time is only 5 months, it gives the family a little more time with them. It may be highly unlikely, but some scientist may come up with a breakthrough within that 5 months that could give them another year.
2007-03-20 20:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by Big mama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Treatment prolongs life, but not quality of life. If I had a glioblastoma, I would not opt for treatment; just hospice.
2007-03-20 20:09:28 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THEY TREAT IT BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS HOPE SOMETHING WILL WORK ON SOMEONE
ALSO, THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF SICK PEOPLE, DON'T THEY?????????????/
2007-03-20 20:22:31 · answer #5 · answered by NATIVE NEW YORKER 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋