Can GBM stage change in reverse ?

mumbai123 · New User Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Hi all...

My mom, age 64, was diagnosed with stage 4 "butterfly GBM" of the corpus collosum on Feb 27 2007. Since it is a deep seated tumor of size 6x4 cm, surgery was not done. We opted for radiation and temozolomide. Been 6 months now and the tumor size is holding steady.

Is the size holding steady due to a "balance" between new cancer cell formation and the therapy destroying the new cells - or is it because the cells have regressed from type 4 to type 3 ? From my research it seems that movement from stage 1-2-3-4 is possible but not in reverse. Any one has any experience/knowledge otherwise ?

BTW local doctors here don't know. One oncologist said that the steady state could even be due to steroids !!

Thanks for your replies.

Cheers

ksplat · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:32 am Post subject: Reversal of GBMIV?

Dear Mumbai, I was interested to read about your Mum's progress with the beastly GBMIV! My brother - 46yrs old has had a similar experience with his GBMIV. Although his tumour was only small when diagnosed in Feb 07 (less than 1cm). It grew very aggressively in the first couple of months whilst he was having Chemoi-Temodal & radiotherapy. He had to have surgery in May to debulk the tumour as it was causing too much pressure on his brain stem with horrific side effects. Since the surgery the tumour has maintained it's current size (no side effects from pressure on the brain) since Jul. He is due for his next MRI in 2 weeks so we wait & we pray. He has been permanently disabled since his debulking surgery & hasn't regained sensation or movement on his L side. Right frontal lobe tumour deep down on his brain stem. He has continued on a chemo regime since July - of 5 days on / 23 days off. You will find loads of support & information from the people on this forum...both brain tumour patients & their carers. Cheers, Aussie Angie.
_________________
Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

brainman

Mumbai, I am so sorry to hear that your mother has a GBMIV.

Speaking about cancers in general: I do not think that it is possible for a cancer to reverse, at least not in its official diagnosis. Obviously, it is possible for cancers to be killed and even go into remission. Unless the diagnosis was incorrect in the first place, once it has been diagnosed as a stage 4 it will never be re-staged as a stage 3.

Specifically about your mother's cancer, my guess is that it is holding steady because the chemotherapy is preventing it from growing. The steroids could be helping her overall condition be reducing the swelling of her brain.

I will keep your mother in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

mumbai123 · New User Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks - Jim and Angie for your kind replies.

This is indeed a horrible tumor. I understand GBM grows very fast - doubles every 20 seconds and the whole mass arose from a single cell.
Also I have found that treating this disease is an emperical, not exact science. They don't know why it is caused and they don't have a cure. They know certain things work, but not always and not predictable.

Well .. till more research is done, we care-takers and patients are left
to our destinies and prayers.

good luck all.

brainman

mumbai, I do not think it grows THAT fast... doubling every 20 seconds. I have never heard how fast it actually grows. It probably varies with blood supply too. If the tumor has a good supply of food and oxygen, it will grow faster. Sometimes it does grow so fast that it outgrows it blood supply and the cells in it center die for lack or nutrients. You will her and read reports of "necrotic cells in the center of the tumor." That is what they are talking about. But I still don not think it doubles every 20 seconds. I do agree that it is a horrible tumor!

There is a reason that medicine is called "The Medical Arts"... there is a certain degree of artistry to the practice of the medical arts. However, even panting is based on scientific principles. Medicine is not an exact science because each of use is different and respond differently. I look at the brain in amazement; what a wonderfully complex organ it is!
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

mumbai123 · New User Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Jim,

Apologies. I should have been more clear... This is what our neurosurgeon said: At a cellular level the cells divide every 20 seconds. Many of the new cells die because of reasons you mentioned - lack of blood supply or the body defence mechanism or chemo/radio therapy. However the cells which remain continue to divide at that rate. It takes billions of cell to form a detectable mass. Overall however the tumor size grows at a much slower rate. My mom's doubled in three months is what they estimate.

regards

brainman

Now we are on the same page, mumbai Laughing

In my case, the original tumor could have been there since I was very young. At some point, it started to divide faster. Then on November 7, 1992 at about 4pm, one addition cell divided and I had a seizure. That was the only sign I have ever had of cancer. Unfortunately, it recurred in 2005 in a more aggressive form. In my last MRI, there was no sign or cancer. But that could and probably will change one of these days.

Cancer is a terrible disease!

You and your mother continue in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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