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Glioma Brain Tumors

Tuesday, May 20

Senator Kennedy's dagnosis is partciularly grim because the type of tumor he has grows so fast. Medical reporter Dina Bair has more on glioma.

Most patients don't live three months with a stage 4 glioma which grows into the brain tissue. Even with surgery and aggressive treatment, life expectancy is less than 2 years. But doctors say those are statistics and people like Senator Ted Kennedy are the very type who defy the odds.

This is what the tumor looks like. Large, growing fast and in the parietal lobe of the brain on the left side. That will affect movement on the right ... but as it grows.

Dr. Ramsis Ghaly, Central DuPage Neurosurgeon: "As soon as this tumor starts to invade more and more it starts to affect the reading area, the comprehension, the judgement, the decision making."

Senator Kennedy's doctors did not talk about surgically removing his tumor ... perhaps fearing the risks are too great. But local neurosurgeons say they would try.

Dr. Ghaly: "You have to be very aggressive because it's the only chance to survive."

The question is risk versus benefit. Nancy O'Connell had the same type of tumor as Senator Kennedy but in a little different place. The 33-year old mother of two had had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Dr. Leonard Cerullo, CINN Neurosurgeon : "She's now 15-16 years past the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor and she's doing just fine."

Nancy O'Connell, glioma survivor: "I got through it somehow just by thinking positively and prayer really helped plus the support network from my friends and my family really helped us through. You just can't ... don't ever give up.

Nancy is an example some doctors say of how attitude does affect outcome. They don't know why some patients pull through but they believe Senator Kennedy is one who can.

"He has proven himself to be a fighter."

Dr. Cerullo: "Statistics never apply to the individual. Miracles do occur. And while they don't occur commonly people with glioblastomas can and do survive."

There are new types of chemotherapy available now ... both oral and delivered directly to the tumor sight. Immunotherapy or gene therapy is also in the experimental stages -- all offering the possiblility of extending life. And doctors say hope is the operative word. While most people don't do well, we are not talking about most we are talking about one patient tonight ... a fighter.