Brain Cancer Treatment

Question: i need info on carboplatin used for brain cancer treatment? my brother has glioblstom multiforme (astrocytoma grade IV) 19 month survivor. he is on his 5th treatment of carboplatin and would like to know the down side about effects on major organs or other complications. as well as the amount of doses that constitute maximum toxicity a body can with stnd. how long does this stay in your system? the doctors are very little help with info. please provide any info ASAP. many thanks.

Answer: Hi - I'm sorry to hear about your brothers GBM. Carboplatin has a half-life of 1-2 hours initially, and can be effective for up to 10 days. Starting dose is calculated based upon a persons weight, height, and kidney functions. A typical dose for subjects with no previous treatment is 400mg/m2, at one time. Dosing may be increased, depending on the severity of the disease, and the patients reaction to treatment. As with most chemotherapy, this drug can suppress your immune system (bone marrow production of white blood cells). Also, the patient can become thrombocytopenic, and anemic, which is usually temporary. If your brother has a blood test, he might have an increased BUN, and serum creatinine, and liver enzymes may become elevated. Once treatment ends, all of these symptoms usually cease. As I am sure he knows, he can expect to experience GI upset and vomiting for the first 24 hours after dosing administration. Carboplatin is excreted primarily in the urine with 65% of the dose excreted after 12 hours and approximately 70% within 24 hours. All of this information is available on the drug label, or the FDA website. Has his doctor mentioned temozolomide? Good Luck

Question: What country did Ted Kennedy go to for treatment of his brain cancer? Since he talked about how terrible the U.S. Healthcare system is, did he go to Cuba, or England, or Canada for treatment? JHVH1, you're missing the point. He and other democrats repeatedly stated that the medical care in socialist and communist countries puts ours' to shame. Why not put his money where his mouth is? Why not make an example of our system? Unless, in fact, the U.S. system does provide the greatest care in the world.

Answer: Good lord. The problem is not that the health care in the US is sub par, its that it costs too much. Nice try, though...no, wait...it was pretty pathetic.

Question: Which are the leading cancer treatment centers for brain cancer? An Italian colleague has grade IV astrocytoma and has run out of options in Italy. He is seeking a U.S. facility that may offer additional treatment possibilities. How can one compile a list of places beyond the obvious (Sloan Kettering, Mayo)?

Answer: Duke, Sloan-Kettering, MD Anderson

Question: Wouldn't Crystal Lee Sutton, who died at 68 for lack of treatment for brain cancer, have been on Medicare? Sutton was the inspiration for the movie Norma Rae. All the stories about Sutton's death talk about her insurance company denying her treatment for her cancer. Which insurance company was this? And wouldn't she have been eligible for Medicare several years before her death? The Medicare enrollment age is currently 65, yes?

Answer: Maybe she didn't work 40 quarters and wasn't eligible?

Question: What treatment is out there for small brain tumors that come from breast cancer? My daughter has tumors now in her brain from the breast cancer. The breast cancer tumors stopped growing and shrank slightly from treatment with ixempra and xeloda. What treatment works best for the brain tumors?

Answer: Here are some links to information and resources. You have to trust the oncologist and neurologist and pray for her...she could consider joining a clinical trial.. Brain Tumor Information http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?term=brain+tumors&submit=Search (brain tumor clinical trials…hit map tab for local trials and don’t forget to turn pages) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/clinical_trials/ (clinical trials) http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/brain (results of brain cancer clinical trials) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/ask_a_professional/ (click on “email a professional� to ask a question about brain tumors) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/physician_listings/ (neurologist link listings..to find a physician) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/ (diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/brain_anatomy/index2.html (National Brain Tumor Foundation…brain anatomy…run the hand over the brain to view areas and a function box will appear underneath the illustration) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/treatment/index.html (common brain tumor treatments and side effects) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/treatment_center_database/index.html (treatment center database) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/survivor_stories/index.html (survivor stories) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/surviving/faq/index.html (frequently asked questions) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/brain_tumor_orgs/ (link list of brain tumor organizations) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/alternative_therapy/ (alternative therapy links) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/treatment_resources/ (treatment resources links) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/other_sites/ (related sites link list) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/connecting_and_coping/support_groups/find.asp (brain tumor support groups) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/connecting_and_coping/support_groups/online.html (brain tumor online support groups) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/connecting_and_coping/support_groups/pediatric.html (pediatric support groups…listed for other readers who might need…) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/connecting_and_coping/message_boards/ (brain tumor message boards) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/connecting_and_coping/caregivers_corner/ (caregivers corner) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/cancer_orgs/ (link list of cancer organizations) http://www.braintumor.org/patient_info/links/financial_assistance/ (financial assistance link list) Disability help http://www.new-horizons.org/ (organization to help the disabled..resource) http://www.new-horizons.org/faqcat.html (frequently asked questions about disability help) Medicine help http://www.pparx.org (partnership for prescription alliance…help with free or low cost medicines) http://www.copays.org/ (Patient Advocate Organization…copay assistance for malignant brain tumors) Nutrition and Support for cancer patients http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_6.asp? (nutrition for cancer patients) http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/mit_0.asp (supporting cancer patients) 3 books on disease symptoms and treatments you could also get these books on ebay or amazon or a half price book store. (last two are very similar).. 1.Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine 2.Handbook of Diseases (Lippencott) 3.Professional Guide to Diseases (Springhouse)

Question: im 33w pregnant and my dad has been getting radiation treatment for brain cancer..? is it safe to be around him? someone told me that i should be careful since im pregnant..but it doesnt really make much sense. im not the one getting the treatments he is. im just curious if it could harm my unborn being around someone recieving radiation treatments.

Answer: The radiation treatment he is getting will hurt him far more than it will ever hurt you. The only way you can get the radiation is to be in the room with him when he is getting the treatment. If the procedure includes putting radiation "seeds" in the tumor, then you should not get close to that, even that is very localized procedure and with a brain tumor most likely not what they have done to him. I would tell your dad to look into other forms of treatments because the statistics for a 5 year survival rate for brain tumors is not good. The success rate is 3.7% or in other words 3.7 people out of 100 survive after 5 years. I would tell your dad to look for the "root cause" of his tumor and not just at the tumor itself. I would strongly suggest that if he has ANY root canals, teeth extractions, amalgam fillings, and ANY dental work at all to look their first. Many brain tumors are reduced by radiation and then come back with a vengeance. The reason is that doctors are not looking for the "root cause" and do what they are trained to do and just look at the tumor itself. I would strongly suggest your dad continue working with his doctors, but also seek out a practitioner in your area that understands QRA testing and locate that infection that is causing that tumor. good luck to you

Question: Why hasn't TedKennedy gone to Canada or Cuba for his brain cancer treatments.Wouldn't he want the Best care? Hey protect america is that the best lie you can come up with?

Answer: I don't think he's quite willing to give up Massachusetts General.

Question: Can my doctor(s) force me to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment if my brain cancer comes back? I've been free of cancer since I was 2--for the last 16 years--but there were cancerous hairs in my brainstem that my surgeon couldn't remove and thus remained. I went to see my physician because of headaches recently and he said that I'm exhibiting signs of my brain cancer having come back. I now have to drive hundreds of miles to see a particular doctor and get a contrast and no contrast MRI. In any case, lets assume the worst and say that my cancer in fact came back. As a legal adult, do I have the right to refuse any and/or all treatment? I worry about this due to many cases I've heard of where courts have required people to seek medical treatment (most recently Daniel Hauser) as well as cases where parents have been criminally charged for not seeking medical treatment for their children on religious grounds. Additionally, if I have the right to choose and thus chose not to undergo treatment, is this grounds for psychiatric evaluation or any other type of thing where I could potentially still lose my right to choose as a result? And would any kind of counseling or other bullshit be required before I could make such a decision, if I even have the right to make this decision in America anymore? Thanks. I live in Colorado, for the record, if state law would play into this. Also, if this is relevant, I wouldn't be refusing on religious grounds--I would seek NO treatment whatsoever.

Answer: I think that I would see a lawyer to make certain that the necessary legal documents were in place to secure my wishes. The physician needs to have a copy, the hospital , whoever you would wish to act on your behalf should the worst come to pass and of course the lawyer and yourself. If you are currently an adult and of sound mind, I don't believe that you can be forced to have any medical treatment against your will. That would be assault and battery. I believe that they court could compel you to see a psychiatrist though. I wish you the best.

Question: brain cancer ayurveda herbal treatment cure for a family member?

Answer: from your question it seems you need information about cancer treatment from ayurveda. ayurveda has treated cancer for thousans of years. this system has laid down guidelines for treatment of cancer that are very potent and yield results if treated well. it also describes surgery radiation and medicinal treatment. but you need to consult a very experienced person. make sure of the credentials of the person you are getting the treatment from. try this source on the net for more information

Question: Will we all get the same treatment as Senator Kennedy received if we get Brain Cancer? It was Senator Kennedy that cried everyone should get the same Universal Health Care. Another perfect example of DO WHAT I SAY NOT WHAT I DO liberal, the way I see it.

Answer: Exactly!!!! This has been proven on all foreign health care. Those that need hospitalization pronto and serious treatment, those who have the money can get help, the normal people wait sometimes until death catches up with them. I must further add that several countries are finding this way of health care actually ends up more costly, thus they are looking at other means and ways. Why are our Politicians looking into the health care ways that other Countries have proven that it just does NOT WORK.

Question: I need something unique about brain cancer? It could be a unique symptom, unique cause (smoking for lung cancer, etc), unique method of treatment - just anything brain cancer has that other cancers do not (except for the obvious it affects the brain) Thanks!

Answer: One strange symptom is that the person could smell strange things, e.g. food smells like chlorine.

Question: Would any recommend Medical Marijuana for cancer treatment? My best friend just died of Brain cancer. He used medical marijuana for the pain and nausea. I witnessed it work wonders for him. I am unsure why so many are against it. I seen it help him die in much less pain than if he did not have it. I am curious why anyone would be against something that helps terminally ill people die in less pain? Why would it concern anyone enough to keep it away from those that need it and will die a more horrible death without it?

Answer: My mom has bone and liver cancer which did metasis from breast cancer she had last year. Right now as we speak she's drugged up with pain killers her dr gave her because the chemo she did last friday is very strong and her bones hurt. Eventhough her dr gave her a good prognosis I still would do anything not to see my mom feeling so bad as she is right now and if that required giving her marijuana for all means. My mom is first! =) Sorry to hear about your bestfriend!

Question: should Ted Kennedy wait in line for Brain Cancer treatments? his alcohol abuse definitely contributed to the condition...why should we pay for his health-care? wait until they decide to tax booze ...it will become a mantra..Kennedy is a dolt

Answer: yes. Ted Kennedy should practice what he preaches.

Question: What is the most promising treatment for brain stem cancer? It is inoperable, aggressive, and invasive.?

Answer: My husband had a pilocytic astrocytoma in his cerabellum around his brain stem 8 years ago. It was surgically removed and required no further treatments other than a somewhat lengthy recovery from the surgery (6 months)and regular monitoring via MRI. I think the treatment would depend on the location of the tumor and the cell type.

Question: After Brain Cancer Treatments - Short term memory and cognitives problems, can you help? TUMOR: anaplastic olligo astrocitoma III... TREATMENTS: 2 craniotomies, 7 weeks of radiation, and 1 year (oral) chemo. Now after 3 years of all the treatments, my husband is having a lot of short-term memory issues and cognitive problems...and it looks like is getting worst. Is there anything that he could take to help with these problems? He takes omega 3 but is not helping that much... A friend told me that taking 400 mg Magnesium a day might help… However, I am not sure if that would make the cancer cells to reoccur faster. Please help!

Answer: This is something you can do and will feel in control of the body. This is the free alternative for cancer patients.Do it and you will know from the future test results or just feel better..You can also do it alongside any medical treatment. Cancer hates oxygen and cannot live in a high-oxygen environment.If you want to supplement the medical treatment you receive(or not receive) with some alternative therapy then this is for you. You need to help your body to build up your immune system.The breathing exercises - pranayam is a holistic approach creating extra oxygen supply in the body and will slowly help with the health problem.Do the pranayam to see the benefits.Build up your timing slowly and after four weeks at the suggested maximum duration you will start to notice benefits gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy,stop and resume later. What is known: pranayam helps the body heal itself. How it works in the body is not known – but people may build their own theory. You have to do it yourself for your benefit. The small print: Keep doing pranayam after you are better for minimum 30 minutes a day for rest of life to maintain health. People who have been treated successfully, should do pranayam as well, as there is a chance of recurrence. The pranayam techniques: Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose.Duration upto 5 minutes. Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently. Anulom Vilom - Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril. This is one cycle of anulom vilom. Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day). You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed. Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee. Duration : 5 to 10 times Only by doing you will benefit and will feel good that you can do something to help the body.Copy and print this to improve your technique and stay focused.This is simplified pranayam for everyone and you do not have to go to classes to learn. This is for life, unlike short term classes where you do it in the class then stop when classes are over.

Question: Short term memory problems after Brain Cancer Treatments can you help? TUMOR: anaplastic olligo astrocitoma III... TREATMENTS: 2 craniotomies, 7 weeks of radiation, and 1 year (oral) chemo. Now after 3 years of all the treatments, my husband is having a lot of short-term memory issues and cognitive problems...and it looks like is getting worst. Is there anything that he could take to help with these problems? He takes omega 3 but is not helping that much... A friend told me that taking 400 mg Magnesium a day might help… However, I am not sure if that would make the cancer cells to reoccur faster. Please help!

Answer: I have several comments about your husband. First, I'm not a doctor. I'm the mother of a 13-year old boy who was diagnosed at the age of 9 with a supratentorial PNET and who has had radiation to his whole brain and spine, followed by 4 stem cell transplants. I also have a niece who passed away from an inoperable anaplastic astrocytoma on her brainstem at the age of 4. So as a concerned mother I do a lot of reading. The first thing is, has your husband had an MRA to look at the blood vessels in his brain? I don't know where his tumor was, but my personal belief is that most of the cognitive deterioration that kids and others experience after radiation is due to radiation-induced hardening of the arteries and consequently, decreased blood flow to those areas of the brain. If this is the cause, supplements won't help, however there are surgeries that can improve blood flow to the affected areas. http://radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiomr Also after radiation, there are white matter changes in many people, and these white matter changes can be indicative of cognitive problems. A functional MRI is usually used to monitor white matter changes. So if your husband hasn't had these tests, I'd ask your doctor about them, maybe get another opinion elsewhere. Ruling out the blood vessel changes, in terms of supplements, I'd suggest gingko biloboa if you haven't already tried that. There are also two drug routes you can go, both of these drugs have been demonstrated to help with cognition and fatigue in brain tumor patients. The drugs are methylphenidate (Ritalin/Concerta) and donepezil (Aricept). I have always been against what I believe is the over-prescription of stimulants for children with ADD, but post-treatment my son is now taking concerta with measurably positive results, it's a way to give him a boost in an area where he's suffering treatment-related deficits. Here are a couple of articles about donepezil (Aricept) and methylphenidate (ritalin / Concerta): http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/24/9/1415 http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/7/2522 Lastly, I'd like to refer you to an online group that deals specifically with the use of supplements for brain tumors: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/btsupplements I wish you the best.