How many surgeries can you have?

Hi Everyone,

My husband dx in March 2012 full resection of tumor in left parietal then chemo and radiation for 6 wks, 2 cycles of chemo then new tumor in left frontal lobe resected sept. 11,2012 followed by 3 weeks rad. no chemo. Then put on Avastin in November, had an MRI on Jan 9th 2013 showing recurrence in original tumor site. He's still able to walk, talk etc. with short term memory problems and fatigue. We were thinking depending on the rate this new tumor grows if surgery would be an option again? How many surgeries for recurrence can one person have? He's tolerated the previous surgeries extremely well! Always home two days following. Our NO says another surgery wouldn't be beneficial and the risks are too great. But if he's not responding to any treatments and these things continue to grow why not? My husband thinks whats the harm anyways if he's eventually going to succumb to this disease. We're curious to know how many surgeries others with GBM have had. Thank you for your input.

J5

Additional surgeries are always a concern to the neurosurgeons.  Most will not do more surgery if it is going to cause more harm to a patient.  Like losing speech or sight or some other bodily function.  It's not worth the risks if someone loses all memory or can't walk.  The doctor's take an oath to do no harm.

Lorre