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Meningioma tracking for 6 years: Good visit with neurologist
Yesterday, had a very informative and pleasant visit with my neurologist in ref. to my meningioma which we have been tracking with MRIs for last six years. "Slowly growing RIGHT anteromedial cranial fossa extra-axial tumor." Currently measures 4.3 X 2.8 cm. Has increased about 8-9 mm in dimension between 2019 and 2024. I am in good health for my age of 88 years. Would not know I had a meningioma if I had not had the MRI's, since I do not have headaches or pain of any sort due to the meningioma! Dr. said location is not a factor for causing future problems with eye, ears or sinus. Dr. does not see any foreseeable problems due to very slow growth and radiation would be my only option if there were any problems later due to my age. I am thankful for the good news and a good doctor!
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@ppw, this is great news. It can be stressful watching a tumor for a long period. All the more reason to have confidence in the monitoring and your doctor. There are many factors that go into deciding treatments, including watch and wait. Clearly this is a good option for you, especially since you have no symptoms or foreseeable complications.
How often do you go in for monitoring? Are you able to put the menigioma out of your mind between follow-up appointments? What would you recommend to others who are on watchful waiting?
Colleen,
Thanks for your reply to reports on my meningioma.
I have visits with my PCP every six months for general health and discussions on how I feel the Meningioma is progressing. PCP found the Meningioma about seven years ago-2018. Have had MRI's about every year and half since, with steady but small growth of the Meningiomas each time. Latest 4.3x2.8 cm. Last one was with contrast as earlier ones had been without contrast. On previous visits, Neurosurgeon recommended watch and wait. The fact I do have the Meningioma was a worry in the back of my mind but did not upset me. Just wanted to know what the future was ahead of me as I am not a candidate for surgery due to my age of 89 years but in good health. He studied my latest MRI and said, considering the location and growth of my Meningioma and not being near any vital organs (ears, eyes and sinus), I should not have any foreseeable problems for quite a few years. Continue watch and wait. This set my mind at ease, having found out where I stand and knowing he is keeping a good watch for me. If needed, his recommendation for treatment for the future would be radiation if there were complications.
Getting a good evaluation of my Meningioma was a big load off my mind in knowing what to expect for the future.
Hope these comments help some others with similar circumstances. You know the old saying, "not knowing is sometimes worse that knowing!"
Thanks, @ppw
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3 ReactionsThank you for sharing. Is your doctor at Mayo? I am on watch and wait for a 3 cm left frontal convexity meningioma. I am 48.
Hi @eyou
No. I am seeing a local neurosurgeon. Go to my local PCP every six months and follow up with MRIs every 1 1/2 years. Haven't had any sort of pains or difficulties with the Meningioma. In fact, if I didn't know I had a meningioma (via the MRI) would not know I had one. Having been given a thorough explanation of the location and it not being in area to likely cause problems in the future was a big help. Hope this helps. Best to you for the future!
@eyou, are you treated at Mayo? It can be un-nerving to be on watch and wait treatment. How are you doing with that treatment approach? How was your meningioma discovered?