Need Information On Glioma In Basal Ganglia

My husband was diagnosed Nov. 22/05 with an inoperable grade III Anaplastic Astrocytoma (perhaps moving into Grade IV GBM) primarily in the basal ganglia area of his brain. He's had standard radiation and Temodar (which appear to have stopped the rapid growth for now) but he has decided to not undergo any further treatments when it gets active again. He's extremely weak on his right side, has problems with word recollection, short-term memory. Still able to walk with assistance, feed himself, and amazingly still doing physiotherapy exercises, but needs assistance with everything else.

Is there anyone out there who has experience with glioma in this particular area of the brain who can give us feedback on what to expect and how long it will take? He's not had any seizures because of the location of the tumor, but I suspect that this may be coming. His primary concern is that his passing be quick, painless, and at home. Thank you.

Sue

Hi Sue,

My father has a GBM affecting the basil ganglia that was deemed inoperable by several world-renowned neurosurgeons. We just had about 60% of the tumor removed by Dr. Keith Black at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Black and his team.

My father's tumor is in the right frontal lobe thus affecting his left side of the body.

Please visit the website/blog that I created and update daily on my father's condition (www.guysnite.com). It sounds like your husband is in better shape than my father is right now. We wasted a lot of time on a cpt-11 protocol at Duke that allowed the tumor to grow and prompt a seizure. The seizure really brought him down. We are currently doing post-operative Temodar-Radiation therapy for 6 weeks while will begin physical therapy. After that, we are planning on joining a phase II protocol of Avastin and Chemo. We have hope now because of Dr. Keith Black and his miracle surgery.

I hope this information helps you.

-Will

Hi Will,

Ever since you replied to my message re my husband's basal ganglia cancer I have checked your website several times a week. You are an amazing young man with a wonderful family. Thank you for sharing.

My husband isn't doing well but there haven't been any seizures and he's not in pain. So I guess there is much to be grateful for.

Sue

Hi Sue,

How's your husband doing? Do I dare ask? My Dad is still hanging in there. Probably going to start him on a new therapy soon...

 -Will