She was told she has nine to 12 months to live, but there is a 5 percent chance it won't come back. An oncologist told her this was an aggressive tumor and he would not put her through chemotherapy needlessly. She was previously healthy and wants every chance at a cure if there is one. We asked one of the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center's cancer specialists to respond to your question. The answer is rather technical but may be helpful.
Radiation therapy is the standard of care for glioblastoma.
In tumors that are unresectable and return, we have been using temozolomide, a new drug that just came on the market. We have seen good responses to recurrences with this drug. Chemotherapy is not used routinely with glioblastoma due to the blood brain barrier. In other words, the chemotherapy can't get through. 882-7000 to make an appointment with a University of Missouri Health Sciences Center physician.