Glioblastoma multiforme survival stats

KMT · New User Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

Hi,

Ever since my mother was diagnosed with GBM Stage IV in September 2005 I have been searching for every possible treatment. On my searches I have only come accross one long-term survivor (I do hope there are more). She has a website with her testemonial. Please note that I do not know her personally, and have never spoken to her. I am sending this as a source of information and hope.

Her web address is http://www.elonnamckibben.com.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

Karin

grana · New User Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 3

Well Kmt, I'm italian and I've got the same problem with my father. He had diagnoses GBM on january, 2005. Ordinary treatment do not have good result, a new treatment (for people who have or no have surgery options) is called Tarceve. Find it at www.eortc.be. The project is called 26041. Try it.

totoro-dave · New User Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 1

Lorelei:

My father was diagnosed with a GBM on the day after Thanksgiving, 2004. The doctor told us that without surgery he would be dead in 3-6 months, with surgery, radiation and chemo he could possibly live another 18 months.

The initial surgery went well, but the radiation really sapped his strength. He was also on Temodor, which works in conjunction with the radiation. The toll the radiation and chemo takes on the body and spirit are almost as bad as the disease.

The GBM came back with a vengence and he died on June 4, 2005. It was an ugly way to go.

Dad's oncologist said he knew of one of his patients who had survived more than 5 years---everyone else was dead. I think the best thing to do for loved ones with a GBM is to just be there for them---help them to live and help them to die. My brother and I were able to care for our dad from the diagnosis until his death. Dad got to die at home which was what he wanted.

There's not a day goes by that I don't miss him.

Best of luck to you and your friend.

Dave

brainman

I totally agree with Dave. My mother died due to a GBM in 1998. She lived only two months after diagnosis. Where Dave’s father opted for full treatment in the hope of 18 more months of life (and it could have been more… much more), my mother opted just to come home and live what little life she had left to its fullest. That choice is an extremely personal one and I am not saying that either was right or wrong.

In 1992, I was diagnosed with a related primary brain cancer. Whereas a GBM is a grade IV cancer, mine was only a grade II… but involving the same family of cells. I opted for a year of hell and in return, well, here I am. Last summer, the cancer returned. This time it was a grade III. It was still relatively small and so I elected to have it surgically removed followed by radiation. Will I live another 12 years? No one can say. The statistics are not in my favor. However, I always remind myself that they are just statistics and that I am alive today. So, what kind of trouble can I get in today?
Laughing

_________________
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/

liat_l · New User Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 1

I feel terrible asking this of those who have suffered losses, but I just need an idea... My dad was diagnosed late Oct. with a grade IV GBM. Though has gone through partial surgical removal and radiation therapy in conjunction with temodar, the last MRI showed that the thing is indeed growing, now back at 4cm only 4 months later, and worse off- my dad is losing almost all control of his left side, and drifts in and out mentally more and more. This past week it seems to have gotten so much worse I wonder- is this it? How does it happen? Will it be painful? Will the seizures get worse as a result of the edema? What stages can I expect?
I looked into a clinical trial that utilizes 'gene therapy' following a resection, through the cultivation and insertion of the diptheria toxin using catheters... It seemed extremely promising, but after seeing my father, the professor hinted that usually when the patient exhibits such poor performance levels, aggressive treatment is ill advised, and may not necessarily improve the quality of life. We just came back from another CT to see, after the results come in, if the trial is still possible for us (if the cells are relatively contained in the initial one area)... It's so confusing- my mother and I dont want to give up but at the same time- will it be worse after the procedure or during? Is there anything to lose? I don't know how to think anymore so if there's anyone out there that knows what i'm talking about i'd be really grateful for a reply.

brainman

liat_l, unfortunately, I do not think anyone can answer your questions with any degree of certainty. My mother's death of GBM was extremely peaceful. But there are so many factors involved… location being one of the primary ones in this case. My mother did not have seizures… she just gradually slipped away.

Is your father on any anti-seizure medication? I would ask his oncologist about palliative care for your father. It is not giving up that is hard. It is letting go.

My deepest and most sincere prayers are with you.
_________________
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/

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Brain Tumors Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page Previous 1, 2
Page 2 of 2

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others