Sylvians Fissure

My sister was diagnosed with GBM 3 weeks ago and starts radiation and chemo on the 5th of October.  They took out a tumor on the left temporal lobe but were unable to take out a small portion that is sitting on Sylvians Fissure.

 She is having some memory gaps and trouble walking, but is getting better.

Is all of this normal?  Can anyone tell me about leaving a portion of a turmor in and how dangerous it is? I still feel like I am living in a dream and nothing seems real to me right now.  We are extremely close.  She has a wonderful husband and support group, but she is scared. 

She is a wonderful Christian woman and always has been.  Her faith is great and so is mine, but sometimes I cry and can't help it.

Everything I read is so depressing.  I believe in miracles, and so does she. I'm just wondering if anyone has had this kind of tumor before and what problems occured because of the location.

Thanks,

I know that when you hear the diagnosis of GBM4 the whole world just spins and everything is so surreal.  Your Sister is not alone in her tumor not being able to be totally resected.  There are tumors sites that are so near important area that control functions that would really reduce quality of life should they be harmed. My husband has 3 different sites.  He was able to have a biopsy near this right temporal lobe but that was it- too close to the hippocampus.  He has one in the left frontal lobe to close to motor strip, and one too close to the occipital lobe for vision.  He had 30 days radiation and chemo (temador). MRIs every 2 months, continues on higher dose chemo taken 5 days out of 28.  He also gets avastin infusions everyother week.  You have to take a deep breath and start looking for info. on the web.  This site is great for information and support, we are here and you are not alone.  It is important to look at your options.  What type of facility is  your sister being treated at.  Where are you located.  You should check out vituraltrials.com which is a list of treatments being offered and much education info.  Also the ABTA American Brain Tumor Association site.  Do research.  You can be your sisters best advocate and this is a good start.  God Bless, stay positive and take it one step at a time.

Donna, wife of Rob, dx 12/08 GBM

Dear pnjjd,

My son's tumor was only 1/3 removable. The rest has been reduced with radiation and chemo... but yes it's still there. No we don't like it. But we're actually very grateful to the neuro-surgeon for stopping where he did... so that we had our son who COULD walk and talk after surgery. Since January he's gotten stronger and much better. I hope your sister recovers too.

Best,
Sarah

mom of Andy 27, dx gbm/pnet 1/09

Unfortunately, brain cancers, like most tumors, don't have clearly defined borders. So even when a tumor is in an area where the surgeon can take all of the visible tumor out, there are still invisible parts of the tumor extending out into the brain. This was the case with my mothers GBM (she is 77, dx April 09). Although the surgeon performed a total resection and she had follow-up radiation and temodar, the tumor still started to grow again after a few months.

She is now taking Avastin and etoposide (VP-16) but treatment is suspended until her blood counts recover. The Avastin seems to be working, as the tumor is visibly smaller after 1 cycle of treatment, so we are eager to resume.

Marcia