Watching a Meningioma Brain Tumor

Posted by robinem @robinem, Feb 8, 2018

I've just been diagnosed with a 2cm meningioma tumor on the right front of my head. I am 59 years old and the surgeon has told me I will need to "do something" with my tumor someday since I am younger. What is the benefit of waiting?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain Tumor Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 29, 2024

In reply to @ninha06 "Hi Linda, I glad to hear it. What are the sizes and location of your meningiomas?..." + (show)

@ninha06, welcome. Have you also been diagnosed with a meningioma? How are you doing?

ninha06 | @ninha06 | Jan 2 10:23am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@ninha06, welcome. Have you also been diagnosed with a meningioma? How are you doing?" + (show)

Hi @colleenyoung, unfortunately, I have. Last October I was incidentally diagnosed with a 2.5cm meningioma behind my right eye, thank God it is not pressing my optic nerve, it shows a bit of calcification, so I hope it grows very slowly if at all. I'm asymptomatic and on surveillance till April, but I am freaking out, I am suffering with anxiety and depression. I am soooo afraid of the surgery that I am thinking about GammaKnife instead. I'm in Canada so here is more complicated to choose your physicians and treatments since the healthcare system is public. Could someone tell me more about the pros & cons of Gamma Knife? Thanks.

cscmaryann | @cscmaryann | Jan 7 9:59am

In reply to @brankintx "I saw my oncologist yesterday. Thankfully the area where the gamma tile was placed worked no..." + (show)

I have never heard of a gamma tile. I will look that one up.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 11 2:19pm

In reply to @ninha06 "Hi @colleenyoung, unfortunately, I have. Last October I was incidentally diagnosed with a 2.5cm meningioma behind..." + (show)

@ninha06, here's more information about gamma knife available in Toronto, Canada, where they have great specialists in brain surgery at the Krembil Barin Institute, part of the University Health Network (UHN) https://www.uhn.ca/Krembil/Clinics/Gamma_Knife

You might also be interested in reading the comments on these related discussions about Gamma knife
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/brain-tumor-support-group/?search=gamma+knife#discussion-listview
You might start here:
- - Stereotactic Radiosurgery Surgery (Gamma or Cyberknife) for Meningioma: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gamma-knife-radio-surgery-for-meningioma/

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 11 2:21pm

In reply to @cscmaryann "I have never heard of a gamma tile. I will look that one up." + (show)

@cscmaryann, Gamma Knife is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery (STS) used to treat tumors, veins that have developed differently than usual and other differences in the brain.

Similar to other types of stereotactic radiosurgery (STS), Gamma Knife radiosurgery is not a standard surgery because there is no cut, called an incision You can read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brain-stereotactic-radiosurgery/about/pac-20384679

muppy | @muppy | Jan 11 8:59pm

In reply to @lindajean "A brief update......I just had an MRI and once again, no change in my 2 Meningioma's.......Now..." + (show)

Happy to hear this great news! Hopeful!

ninha06 | @ninha06 | Jan 13 8:29am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@ninha06, here's more information about gamma knife available in Toronto, Canada, where they have great specialists..." + (show)

Thank you so much!

lawendy | @lawendy | Apr 2 10:44pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "Robin, you asked "I am 59 years old and the surgeon has told me I will..." + (show)

I was a watch and waiter for four years. I am 63 and very active. My last MRI showed some growth and I am still stage 1. 2 surgeons wanted me to wait a year to see if I want surgery and another highly respected one said don’t wait another year. I jumped in and did radiation and finished today. five in five days linear accelerator pin pointed with a mask etc. I wanted to stop the growth. It was SLOW growth but i took the leap. Surgery scared me so I wanted to be proactive. Keep getting MRIs and if it grows take action and do your research. I made the right choice for my comfort level. It’s a game of anxiety for sure. Best of luck.

lawendy | @lawendy | Apr 2 10:49pm

In reply to @ninha06 "Hi @colleenyoung, unfortunately, I have. Last October I was incidentally diagnosed with a 2.5cm meningioma behind..." + (show)

I have the exact same thing. Behind my right eye stage 1. I watched it for four years and it has begun to grow. I have no symptoms. If it grows I will. Gamma knife is too strong my docs told me 3 top neurosurgeons but targeted radiation like cyberknife or linear accelerator is safe for that area. I had five treatments and my last today. Mild headaches and fatigue. I will have a follow up MRI in 3 months. Gamma packs a very strong punch near the optic nerve. Do some research.