Diffusely Infiltrating Low Grade Glioma (grade 2) - astrocytoma

[Duncelt]

Hi

My brother was diagnosed with the above brain tumour 4 1/2 years ago.  He was told by 2 doctors/hospitals that the tumour was inoperable due to the fact that it was too far embedded into this brain.  Finally in May of 2004 we found a doctor who would do the operation but said that he could only get a maximum of 90% of the tumour.  He got 89%.  My brother suffered paralysis down the left hand side of his body and his seizures became more frequent.  His seizures are under control now (i.e. he would have on average 8-10 a year).  He has just started having very bad double vision over the last couple of weeks and has is finding his left leg is extremely heavy and feels like he is draggint it.  He is a private patient but his doctor was dismissed from the hospital and we are finding it hard to get him seen to.  Do you think the tumour has grown significantly and that this is the cause of the double vision and the weight on his leg.  Your help would be very much appreciated as my family are extremely concerned and are not sure what to do next!!

Thanks

[Michael Lim, MD]

It sounds like your brother has gone through a lot.  In general, if a patient has new neurological deficits, he/she should get immediately reevaluated and a MRI is an important step.  I think that the MRI will give you the best information.

[Fionajnz]

Sounds like your brother needs to be medically reviewed asap.  If you cannot get him seen by a neurologist or neurosurgeon in a timely way, then you need to take him to an urgent care setting or an ER.

Its quite possible that the tumor is causing some problems, even indirectly by pressing on other areas of his brain.

Wishing you all well as he is stablised.

Fiona

[retz225]

Did you have headaches? How bad were they? If so Did OTC medicine help?
Ive had a headache for over a year now, OTC takes it away for about 5-6 hrs.
I havean appt Sept. No dizziness or numbness. But Im worried it a tumor.

[Duncelt]

The tumour was detected because he started having seizures - don't think he had any headaches.  He had an MRI done last Wednesday and we are just waiting on the results, fingers crossed.

[friday13th]

What hospital are you involved with? There are a couple that specialize in brain tumors. Sounds like there is some swelling in the brain. Hopefully the MRI will be of help and the doctors can suggest a treatment to help in some way. Good Luck in all your endeavors. Dont give up trying and Never Give Up Hope.
If one hospital wont help then ask them for a suggestion to locate one that will or can.

[Duncelt]

HI Friday, 13th - ah its nearly two weeks since his MRI scan and still no results - they said it'd be about a week - everytime I ring the doctor's secretary says he has my number and she'll pass the message on but still nothing.  He's in the Royal Victoria in Belfast.  Its horrible waiting for results but I suppose no news is good news to.

[friday13th]

Waiting is horrible, give us too much time to deal on the negative.  Keep positive, but I would continue to call Docs every few days, till they let you know what is going on. It seems to be way too long on returning a call to you with results. Not all doctors have the best "bedside manners" with their patients. But maybe the doctors are reviewing options and/or discussing a treatment for your brother. Sometimes they meet with a few doctors to get the best opinions to relay to patients & families.
Hope for you and your family, that good news comes soon.  

[Duncelt]

Okay results are in.  We went to see the consultant on Thursday and the tumour has grown.  My brother is starting radiotherapy this week.  The consultant said that there is no point doing a biopsy as he will be left completely paralysed and the treatment will be the same regardless of whether it is cancerous or not.  He said that if the tumour is still a grade II that it will change to a grade III and that they are doing the radiotherapy to slow the process down.  Not looking good unfortunately!!  Thanks for your replies.

[kaz100164]

Sorry to hear about your brother. I hope the radiation goes well. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care.