Anaplastic Astrocytoma in a 62 y-o woman

Quote:

Hello All:

Around 08-Nov-2006, my mother began experiencing numbness in some areas of
the right side of her face, right arm and leg. She retained, however, full
motricity and was able to function normaly. She consulted her family doctor
who tought it was somewhat of a sore nerve due to cold air exposure. After
ten days, the symptoms were still present and had progressed to a mild
hemiparesis on her right side. Still, she was able to walk and function.
On November 22, she checked herself in the hospital where a CT scan was
performed showing a lesion in her brain. The next day, several MRI tests
were performed. Based on the CT scan, the size of the lesion was estimated
to be 2.5 cm x 2.7 cm. She checked out of the hospital and went home for
the Nov 25-26 week-end. Besides the hemiparesis, everything else was ok.
Her cognitive functions were fine and she was able to walk albeit with a
slight limp. Her right hand was experiencing loss of fine motricity which
made handwriting difficult.

On November 28, as planned, she checked in the hospital again. She
underwent a stereotactic biopsy the next day to confirm the nature of the
lesion. The needle entry was from the left frontal bone. She was
discharged from the hospital on November 30 and on the same day we were
informed that the tumor was a thalamic glioma. We had hoped all along that
what she had experienced was a lacunar stroke with progressive hemiparesis
which would have somewhat been in agreement with her symptoms. However, by
examining her medical file, a tumor was suspected from the start following
initial imaging examinations. The fact that she has a tumor is very
counterintuitive since she never experienced usual tumor symptoms (headache,
vomiting, seizures, etc.).

One problem is that the biopsy left her severely impaired. Not only is she
no longer able to walk but her cognitive functions are severely affected as
well. Her speech is also affected. This is very troubling for us
considering she was very functional prior to the biopsy.

On December 06, we were informed of the final diagnosis : Anaplastic
Astrocytoma (Glioma grade III) affecting her left thalamus. She is
scheduled to start radiation therapy next week. Useless to say that we are
all shaken by this as mom seems in perfect shape seven weeks ago.

QUESTIONS :

a.. What is the most appropriate treatment for my mom ? Would she benefit
from 'Gamma Knife' surgery ? What about chemotherapy ?
b.. Are the deficits following the biopsy normal ?
c.. For how long was this tumor present ? days, months, years ? Was it
dormant ? If so, what woke it up ?
Many thanks to all,

Tony