laszer treatment for "unoperable" suspected anaplastic oligodendroglioma

irondanes
irondanes Member Posts: 1
in Brain Cancer #1

Hello,  My dad is 57 and recently diagnosed with an agressive cancerous brain tumor.  He had a seizure while driving causing him an accident - otherwise we would have never know.  They suspect it to be anaplastic oligodendrogloma due to the MRI images and it appears to be aggressive.  They wont say for sure what it is until they do a biopsy.  

His doctor, Dr. Barnett of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, wants to use lazer to "cook" the tumor.  He says that its 3/4" into the brain in the left paretial lobe, the size of a walnut, and its too risky to try and cut it out.  My concerns are that this procedure was only recently approved by the FDA in 2009 and its only been used on about 65 patients through the Cleve. Clinic.  I also see he is a paid board member with the compay that uses this AutoLITT or NeuroBlate which makes me wonder if he is pushing this because he is profiting from it.  He claims he would prefer this technique even if it was in location that was able to be removed.

Please let me know if any of you have feedback.  We havent even asked the questions about life expectancy - too much to think about.  Doctors want to operate in one week so it seems like its all a rush to take action.  I appreciate any feedback or input.

my best - Jenny

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • sadinholland
    sadinholland Member Posts: 248
    #2
    Anaplastic Olio Grade 3

    My husband had this tumor. He had surgery to remove it in 2010. He just had gamma knife for a small lesion and is back on chemo. I have never heard of this laser surgery you are referring to. What alternative treatment was offered?

     

  • dmercer1
    dmercer1 Member Posts: 16
    #3
    Second Opinion, Second

    Second Opinion, Second Opinion, Second Opinion,!!! I can't emphasize enough. Go to a major brain tumor center. Bring your images and have them take a look.

  • I_Promise
    I_Promise Member Posts: 218 Member
    #4
    dmercer1 said:

    Second Opinion, Second

    Second Opinion, Second Opinion, Second Opinion,!!! I can't emphasize enough. Go to a major brain tumor center. Bring your images and have them take a look.

    Dear Jenny

    Those are very good questions and I support what was already said: get a second opinion. The problem with brain cancer is that there is not one approach that is successful, hence different protocols at different brain tumor hospitals. At first glance, I have to say I am intrigued by the laser; but I though it was used for the inoperable cases.

    all the best,

     

    Julia

  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    #5
    I_Promise said:

    Dear Jenny

    Those are very good questions and I support what was already said: get a second opinion. The problem with brain cancer is that there is not one approach that is successful, hence different protocols at different brain tumor hospitals. At first glance, I have to say I am intrigued by the laser; but I though it was used for the inoperable cases.

    all the best,

     

    Julia

    Laser

    Get it done at CC, i was going to be the 1st Mi. but CC is good at the laser i am told. Much less invasive than tradioal surgery. My tumor is too large for the laser now.

     

    Dave

    stage vi lung w/bain mets

  • Dapsterd
    Dapsterd Member Posts: 291
    #6
    I_Promise said:

    Dear Jenny

    Those are very good questions and I support what was already said: get a second opinion. The problem with brain cancer is that there is not one approach that is successful, hence different protocols at different brain tumor hospitals. At first glance, I have to say I am intrigued by the laser; but I though it was used for the inoperable cases.

    all the best,

     

    Julia

    Laser

    Get it done at CC, i was going to be the 1st in Mi. but CC is good at the laser i am told. Much less invasive than tradioal surgery. My tumor is too large for the laser now.

     

    Dave

    stage vi lung w/bain mets

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