GBM and quality of life

RandyB · New User Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

Please excuse me if this an incorrect method to post a question, but I have never posted before. My dad was diagnosed with GBM after a debulking Craniotomy that was performed 3 weeks ago. He is 83 and was in very good health up to 5 weeks ago, when his symptons started. He did very well through the operation and was released to a nursing home 3 days later. He spent a week in the nursing home and is now home. There is no noticable loss of any motor or cognitive skills. The radiologist gave us the the bad news about survival rates for GBM, which we already new from a friend who passed to this horrible disease a few years ago. With that said, the radiologist prescribed a 6 week radiation therapy in combination with Temodar. We asked the question that I'm sure many at his age ask - "why take the treatment if it does not increase survival rates for a man that is 83 years old?" The radiologist told us that the treatment would improve his quality of life by slowing down the tumor growth.

He met with the oncologist today to discuss the Temodar treatment and he gave the same response to the quality of life question - basically that the treatment will not increase his survival chances/time, but it will improve his quality of life during this period. After reading many posts on the side affects of Temodar, I'm having difficulty understanding how the QOL is improved. My dad is having the same questions.

Any advice or experience in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Randy B

PS - I am 53 and have had two bouts with cancer myself - Hodgkins at age 26 and large cell Lymphoma at age 46. I know from experience how bad the treament can be, and this might be influencing my perspective.
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Thanks,

Randy B

shell · New User Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 6

Randy, I am sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis. I lost my father (84yo) due to GBM IV on 7/30/2005. My dad was a previously healthy, active man, worked out at the gym 3 days/wk for 2-3 hrs! His tumor was discovered on 6/29/05 by MRI and CT. His presenting sxs were brief, mild headaches, mild tremors and some muscle weakness. He had a biopsy done on 7/7/05 with preliminary reports saying it was an inoperable GBM but we needed to wait for the final path report to determine treatment. My dad came home on 7/9/05. He was alert, had a good appetite but now required a walker. While awaiting the final path report my dad's condition rapidly declined(required wheelchair). My dad had a repeat CT on 7/15/05, the same day we received the final path report stating it was stg IV. His tumor had almost doubled in a little over 2 wks. My dad, being independant all of his life refused any treatment. My dad was losing vision in 1 eye, and losing his mobility. We started hospice that day, 2wks and 1 day later my dad died peacefully and with out pain at home. To treat or not to treat is such a personal decision. I am a former oncology nurse, so I know how difficult treatment can be. As sad as I am today without my dad here, I still feel fortunate that he did not linger/suffer for long. He was joking, alert and coherent until 2 days before he died, when he slipped into a coma. I respect the decision my dad made, although I miss him terribly. There will be hard times ahead for all of you. Enjoy the time you have together. My heart goes out to you.

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