Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

When someone should to start chemio/radiotherapy?

NRV
  • 1 reply
  • 32 subscribers
  • 135 views

Dear MM Nurse,

My mother, 76 years old  with no other medical condition in the past has brain tumour Glioblastoma grade 4. Craneotomy for tumour removal on 31st december and tumour partially removed. Since then she has been recovering slowly but still hasnt been offered chenio/radiotherapy. Instead palliative care to control back pain due to long time in bed. When the cancer treatment is suppossed to start? My father hasnt got any info. I just want to know what is the standard timeline to start chemio/radiotherapy?

Thank you

  • Hi NRV.

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our online community. My name is Sherrye and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s grade 4 glioblastoma. I hope she’s had a comfortable recovery following the craniotomy.

    When consultants are considering treatment  for an individual with a brain tumour several factors are taken into consideration, including age, general health, the stage and type of the tumour and any biomarkers present.

    Following her surgery, they may have sent off samples for testing to gain more information about the tumour to help decide on what treatment would be next.

    At Macmillan Cancer Support we don’t have access to any of the NHS systems or anyone medical records so we don’t have the whole picture and are not able to say what treatment is available to your mother at this stage.

    If she’s doesn’t already have her next clinic appointment arranged it would be a good idea to contact her consultant or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and arrange one to discuss the next steps.

    In the meantime writing down any questions you have as a family for the team would be a good way to prepare for the appointment.

    If your mother has any changes to her symptoms it would be advisable to report this to her GP or medical team for assessment as soon as possible.

    Also, if your mother is still having back pain please mention this again to be reassessed, she may also benefit from a referral to the physiotherapy team, this can help with her recovery and to prepare for any further treatment.

    You might also find it supportive to reach out in the brain cancer forum in the online community. There may be others in a similar situation who can share their experience with you.

    I hope this information helps. Please feel free to get back in touch if you want more information or support.

    Best wishes,

    Sherrye H,

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm), send us an email or contact us through webchat.

    Ref SH/BG

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2024 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ. VAT no: 668265007