Hey Everyone, I just wanted to post the most recent treatment plan for my father. I'd like opinions.
Here's a summary.
Dad, Age 50, Dx July 15th GBMIV Left Temporal Lobe
Surgery July 19th- complete ressection- No deficits
6 weeks of radiation with concurrant Temodol
Followed by 7 months of 21/7 Temodol
3 clear MRI''s
Most recent MRI, on April 14th shows a 1.4 cm regrowth
Radiation is not an option again
Father would like to hold off on having a second surgery. He would like to see if his growth can be controlled with Chemo.
The oncologists here in Canada have decided to keep him on the Temozolimide. However, they have stopped the 21/7 regimen and put him on the 5/23 regimen . He was currently on 210mg/day for 21 days a month and now he is on 400mg/day for 5 days a month. They are hoping to stabilize the tumor, if not shrink it.
I'm concerned.
I have read that trying to control these tumors with soley temodol is ludicrous... so I questioned the doctor's decision and they told me that from what information is available to date, Temodol is the best line of defense for GBM IV... They said that if they were to give him temodol AND another chemo in combination with it, they would be unable to give him as much temodol as they would like.
They said that they would like to give him 2 rounds of 5/23 and then do another MRI to see how the tumor looks and then go from there.
I know there is no "cure".... I just find it strange how different we are all being treated.
And its also scarey because I know how fast these tumors can grow...seems scarey to keep him on the same medication he was on when it regrew...
Any advise? He is currently on day 2, of his first round of 5/23
Thanks for your time.
Kara