Article Figures & Data
Tables
Grade Prognosis, months Astrocytoma Grade I (pilocytic astrocytoma) Often cured with surgery Grade II (astrocytoma) 48-180 Grade III (anaplastic astrocytoma) 18-36 Grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme) 4.25-12 Oligodendroglioma Grade II (oligodendrogliomas) 55.2-204 Grade III (anaplastic oligoastrocytoma) 42-120 Primary CNS lymphoma 17-84 Prognosis data are from References 12-19. CNS, central nervous system. Understands what a will is Knows one's assets Knows one's natural heirs Decisions on how assets are distributed are not influenced by delusional beliefs Person is not a victim of undue influence Source: Reference 57. 100: Normal; no complaints; no evidence of disease 90: Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease 80: Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease 70: Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work 60: Requires occasional assistance, but is able to care for most of their personal needs 50: Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care 40: Disabled; requires special care and assistance 30: Severely disabled; hospital admission is indicated although death not imminent 20: Very sick; hospital admission necessary; active supportive treatment necessary 10: Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly 0: Dead - Table 4
Proposed Signs for Family Overreporting of Functioning in GBM (When Consistently Present)
1. Frequent justification of improvement on minor physical findings that appears to be overemphasized or does not match other treatment reports 2. Pervasive and overemphasized belief that person is special (e.g., a fighter), especially after significant documented decline 3. Overreliance on spiritual beliefs for a cure, not just comfort for circumstances 4. Unwavering focused on anecdotal reports of a cure and how the patient is similar to those reports 5. Lack of acknowledgement of the meaning of words such as “palliative” (e.g., doctor's recommendation was potentially curative not just palliative) 6. Lack of rational explanation for not applying similar past life experience to current situation (e.g., uncle's death from brain tumor does not apply) 7. Repetitive overreliance on credentials of treating doctors (e.g., stating, “We got the best physicians, therefore he will get better [or was functioning better].”) 8. Perceived extreme and consistent minimization of deficits, even after education to the contrary (e.g., stating, “He was always bad with names” in a person with aphasia)
