Survival without surgery

My husband has grade 4 GBM multiforme, with the primary tumor being located in the brainstem. He has recieved radiation, and is now on Temodar and Avastin.

All of the survivor stories I have read involve surgical removal of all or part of the tumor.  Are there any survivors of inoperable GBM? Is it dumb to ask if surgery in the brainstem is EVER a possibility?

I'm looking for a little hope.

Suzanne55

Morning to you. I am glad you are there for him. Sounds like they have already started a protocal on your husband however..........It would not hurt to get a second opinion  from a different Dr or Hospital. Just to see if opinions are the same.

Hope

Dx Nov 07

Look down at the post called HOPE :) 

Thank you!

Is he a candidate for the vaccine trials? If my daughter qualified, I would try it.

Cathy

Cathy,

What are the vaccine trials?

Sue

Hi Suzanne - my husband was diagnosed in 8/10 with an inoperable gbm, and is doing well on Avastin alone now.  So, it can be done!  Cathy

I would recommend the book the china studies and it's not about china. It's a comprehensive study on diet and disease. I would recommend a person to read the whole book but chapter three would be of specific interest because it goes into explaining about cancer and it's causes. Chapter 3 is about what may cause cancer initially but the big thing is what promotes the cancer to keep growing. I think watching forks over spoons is also a good documentary to watch.

University of California has had good success with vaccine trials from what I have read.  My doctor checked into it, but I'm not a candidate.  It's experimental and they only accept grade 4 GBM patients.  U of C is also a good place for a second opinion.  I understand they have really good neuro-oncologists there.  Not sure where you are, but I have one of the best doctors in the country in Dallas, TX.  I fly down there every other month.  I have a new group page on facebook too - Living with Brain Cancer.  You're welcome to join if you like.  I'm hoping it can be a good place for people to trade information and hope and encouragement.  BTW, I'm a one year survivor of grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma.  I am also not a candidate for surgery at this point because it is in my left cerrebellum, I would no longer walk at the very least.  I started out with 4 tumors, killed all of those and we are now killing the 5th that appeared over the summer.  Don't lose hope.  There is always hope.  Hang in there.

hi faith congradulations in tour battle. I an a stage 3 asto stg 3 surviver. I am going on 10 yrs on 5 jun 12. the doctors finally told me i have beated it' oh yea mine was in the same as yours and non op just rad and chemo and a solid positive additude. when first told the realy gave me 6 mths to a yr to live. i was set back for the 1st month or so but i started my positive battle against it you have 1 life to live and i felt that you might as well enjoy and do the thinks you want. i guess try to block it out. have you read the goerge plym story. he is my hero. just type his nam in and read this mans battle with brain cancer. he is living proof cancer can bebeatten.ifyou would like to keep in touch here is my

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byehope to keep in touch