Friend Has Grade 3 Astrocytoma Cancer Of The Brain

On 5/12/2008 Carolyn18 wrote:

My friend was operated on for grade 3 astrocytoma. They are going to start her on chemo pills, 5 days out of the month, also start radiation and then she will take pills every day when she is having radation. Can anyone tell me about the results of grade 3 astrocytoma?

Hi Carolyn

My mother was diagnosed with grade 3 AA in December.  She had surgery, six and a half weeks of radiation and 42 days of chemo (temodar).  After a great MRI she is now on the 5/23 cycle.  She does have some deficits from the surgery.  But she is tired alot and doesn't have her usual energy, but in time I know she will start to feel more like herself.  Let me know if you have any specific questions. 

On 5/12/2008 Carolyn18 wrote:

My friend was operated on for grade 3 astrocytoma. They are going to start her on chemo pills, 5 days out of the month, also start radiation and then she will take pills every day when she is having radation. Can anyone tell me about the results of grade 3 astrocytoma?

Sorry to hear about your freind, I also have mixed astrocytoma grade 3. I was operated on in 1998 (I was only 18) and at that time it was just an astrocytoma grade2 but in 2002 it at doubled in size so they operated again and at that time I found out it had changed grades to a 3 and now a mix astrocytoma. I did 7 weeks of radation and ended waiting on Chemo so I could have a kid, and after I had my daughter the doct. said there was no change in the tumor, and that they would just watch it. And now 6 years later Im still doing fine with no growth, I have a MRI in 2 weeks and I hope no growth.

My husband was diagnosed with oligoastrocytoma III (mix of oligodendroglioma and AA) in September 1996, at age 34.  He had a complete resection of the lemon-sized tumor, folloed by radiation.  He also had a half course of PCV chemo, cut short because it caused severe neurological lethargy (he couldn't function because he was constantly falling asleep).

It has been almost 12 years, and he has never had a recurrence of the tumor.  He does have some problems with his thought processes, and he has a very low tolerance for stress, but overall he is doing very well. 

Best regards,

Jill