Why is my mother's hand swolen?

[Gauge192]

My mom's left hand is swolen almost twice the size of her other hand. She has a long medical history. In 2001 the doctors partially removed a brain tumor. The doctors said that it was the best kind of tumor she could have but that it was in the worst spot. The tumor had grown around the top of her spinal cord. The doctors went in and sucessfully removed most of it. It has not grown back. She began having problems again about four years ago. The doctors took a look and came to the conclusion that she needed a shunt put in to drain excess fluid. She has had the shunt for about four years now, maybe longer, im not quite sure. About a year ago she began to notice that her hand was swelling. It was twice the size of her other hand, her blood vessels were busted because of the swelling, and she said it hurt really bad. She went to the doctor and they said that the shunt was causing fluid to drain into her hand, which it wasnt deigned to do, but also that they couldnt do anything about it. She still has the swelling in her hand and her doctors dont seem to care or be concerned anout it at all. It is still hurting her. Her middle finger to her pinky finger is fine, no swelling there. Her index finger and thumb are extremely swollen. Her fingers are dry and cracking at the joints. Her wrist is swollen and the palm of her hand is the worst part. She has broken blood vessels in every spot that is swelling.  No discoloration at all, except the broken blood vessels ofcourse. I have pictures if you need to see them. Should we be satisfied with her doctors answer, or is there more to it than that? She has also been on about every drug known to man kind.I figure that may have something to do with it as well.

[Gauge192]

To make the correction, yes it is her right hand. She is on pain meds and diuretics. She does not use a sling. She has also been through what they call a gamanizing treatment. I dont know much about it.

[iam1butterfly]

I'm not a doctor; but, I've known of a lot of people who had undergone Cancer treatments (my sister; both of my parents and numerous friends and relatives).
One of the symptoms that I've seen, especially with Radiation therapy, is Edema, which is a condition that results in an excess of fluid build-up (usually in the extremities i.e. arms, hands, feet and legs) causing excessive and painful swelling.
You don't mention if your mom had Radiation treatments... but, when you mentioned your mom's Cancer and it's location (in the brain) what I thought was that... the fluids from the site of the treated area migrated and trickled downwards. From the head area, the arm(s) and hand(s) would be the likely point of fluid build up.  
The picture shows her right hand... but you state that her left hand is the one that is afflicted. Am I correct in concluding that her brain tumor was in the same side of her body as is now the swollen hand?
Anyway, this is only my unprofessional speculation. And, unfortunately, it's true what the medical professionals told you.... this type of Edema is a condition that can't be reversed.
As for drug options, it sounds like she's tried many with unsatisfactory results. Where these drugs prescribed for pain management?
Or, where they prescribed as diuretics in the hope of forcing fluids out of her body via the urinary tract?
Does she use a sling for her arm? Doing so might help to alleviate the pressure and pain of the hand.
Hope this info helps... wishing all the best for your mom.

[Gauge192]

This picture doesnt look as bad as it really is.