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Suggest Treatment For Low Grade Tectal Plate Glioma
Question: Hi, I am 30 and have been diagnosed with a low grade tectal plate glioma. I have heard lots of conflicting things about the prognosis of such a tumour (in terms of survival rates) can you please let me know on average how long people with low grade tectal plate gliomas survive? It is not diffuse and it is not brain stem. I have been told different things by different doctors.
Brief Answer:
Tectal plate gliomas have long survival with promising treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The tumor described by you is a focal tectal glioma. I understand your concern as many people have said different things about this condition. I will discuss the condition based on recent research literature that I have read and will share the same with you.
A tectal plate glioma is typically found in the posterior part of brain stem and therefore called tectal. The tumor you have is focal and specific in location. It has been said that long periods of stability is a classic feature of focal tectal gliomas.
Treatment is required only when there is increased pressure in the brain due to the tumor and this is less likely in a tectal plate glioma.
There are doctors who recommend radiation and shunting to reduce tumor volume and obstruction in the brain respectively.
The overall survival is more than 10 years. This does not mean that it is bad news after 10 years. When we talk about cancers the treatment is based on 5 year survival. If a person fighting cancer survives for 5 years then we say they have done well. Similarly for tectal plate gliomas the survival is at least 10 year and if not much longer.
There are new researches and treatments being discovered each day and hopefully soon your tumor might be completely treatable. My information is based on medical research done in 2012 and advances are taking place each day.
Wishing you a healthy life ahead.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Tectal plate gliomas have long survival with promising treatment options
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
The tumor described by you is a focal tectal glioma. I understand your concern as many people have said different things about this condition. I will discuss the condition based on recent research literature that I have read and will share the same with you.
A tectal plate glioma is typically found in the posterior part of brain stem and therefore called tectal. The tumor you have is focal and specific in location. It has been said that long periods of stability is a classic feature of focal tectal gliomas.
Treatment is required only when there is increased pressure in the brain due to the tumor and this is less likely in a tectal plate glioma.
There are doctors who recommend radiation and shunting to reduce tumor volume and obstruction in the brain respectively.
The overall survival is more than 10 years. This does not mean that it is bad news after 10 years. When we talk about cancers the treatment is based on 5 year survival. If a person fighting cancer survives for 5 years then we say they have done well. Similarly for tectal plate gliomas the survival is at least 10 year and if not much longer.
There are new researches and treatments being discovered each day and hopefully soon your tumor might be completely treatable. My information is based on medical research done in 2012 and advances are taking place each day.
Wishing you a healthy life ahead.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you so much for your reply. Just one question - when you say more than 10 years does that mean many more years (for example 40 years) or does it mean around 10 years (i.e. 12 years)?
Sorry I know you can't be specific I just mean on average does this tumour lead to death eventually?
Thank you
Thank you so much for your reply. Just one question - when you say more than 10 years does that mean many more years (for example 40 years) or does it mean around 10 years (i.e. 12 years)?
Sorry I know you can't be specific I just mean on average does this tumour lead to death eventually?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Please find my observations below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below.
1. When we talk about survival, it depends a lot on the tumor growth with time and its behavior. On these grounds an average patient can live (10) 12 years considering the possibilities of tumor growth and pressure effects due to that. These entities have been researched more only in the last 15 to 20 years so there is hope that you might survive much longer from the way medical advances are taking place.
2. A tumor is a uncontrolled multiplication or growth of cells. This is a low grade tumor meaning that its growth is not furious but in some patients it can grow with time. You must get a MRI scan done every year to see the behavior of your tumor. Even if the tumor grows a little then radiation can be given after discussing with the oncologist and in many patients this can cause the tumor to get smaller and increase patient survival. Problems in survival happen when the tumor creates pressure on the brain stem and important structures leading to death. I pray that your tumor remains as it is and does not cause any pressure effects for years to come.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please find my observations below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
Please find my observations below.
1. When we talk about survival, it depends a lot on the tumor growth with time and its behavior. On these grounds an average patient can live (10) 12 years considering the possibilities of tumor growth and pressure effects due to that. These entities have been researched more only in the last 15 to 20 years so there is hope that you might survive much longer from the way medical advances are taking place.
2. A tumor is a uncontrolled multiplication or growth of cells. This is a low grade tumor meaning that its growth is not furious but in some patients it can grow with time. You must get a MRI scan done every year to see the behavior of your tumor. Even if the tumor grows a little then radiation can be given after discussing with the oncologist and in many patients this can cause the tumor to get smaller and increase patient survival. Problems in survival happen when the tumor creates pressure on the brain stem and important structures leading to death. I pray that your tumor remains as it is and does not cause any pressure effects for years to come.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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