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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?

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cscmaryann | @cscmaryann | Apr 3 3:40pm
In reply to @ninha06 "Hi @colleenyoung, unfortunately, I have. Last October I was incidentally diagnosed with a 2.5cm meningioma behind..." + (show)
@ninha06

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.

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Depends on the size of the meningioma. If too large, drs told me they won't use gamma knife. Ask about that.

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mkoch | @mkoch | Apr 4 1:22pm
In reply to @cscmaryann "My drs told me they won't do gamma knife if the growth is too big." + (show)
@cscmaryann

My drs told me they won't do gamma knife if the growth is too big.

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Yes, I've been told 3 centimeters is kind of the cut off point for not being offered gamma or cyber knife.

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joetex | @joetex | Apr 4 4:53pm

I had Gamma Knife on a 4+ cm tumor near my optic nerve a year ago and a half ago and am doing fine.

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ncadler | @ncadler | Apr 5 7:41am

here is MY story:
For 15+ years I have had a small meningioma, 1.5 cm., in the parietal lobe that has done nothing! it was diagnosed at University of California Davis.
INTHE LAST MONTH (March 2025) my head grew one that went from zero to nearly 4cm.
that is scheduled to be removed surgically this month BECAUSE of the size, location, rate of growth.
Previously I had a stage 3 astrocytoma, the size of a golf ball with radiation afterwards, from which I recovered 40 yrs ago. that surgery took over 12 hours! This is reported to only take 3 hrs.

I suggest that a person not worry. with 21century technology, most anything is safe and doable! Good luck to all!

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1 reply
mono21 | @mono21 | Apr 5 8:39am

Good morning,
I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September it was at 18.4. In February it’s at 2.1 cm. Dr will do nothing just monitor it in September I’ll have another ct to see if it’s grown. I have terrible headaches and my vision is getting bad. Now just sit and wait

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3 replies
ncadler | @ncadler | Apr 5 9:59am
In reply to @mono21 "Good morning, I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September..." + (show)
@mono21

Good morning,
I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September it was at 18.4. In February it’s at 2.1 cm. Dr will do nothing just monitor it in September I’ll have another ct to see if it’s grown. I have terrible headaches and my vision is getting bad. Now just sit and wait

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this can be scary. try not?

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1 reply
joetex | @joetex | Apr 5 12:36pm
In reply to @mono21 "Good morning, I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September..." + (show)
@mono21

Good morning,
I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September it was at 18.4. In February it’s at 2.1 cm. Dr will do nothing just monitor it in September I’ll have another ct to see if it’s grown. I have terrible headaches and my vision is getting bad. Now just sit and wait

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Just my opinion, but the headaches and bad vision sound more serious than watch and wait. I would think an MRI would be more definitive. Is it something to bring up with your neurologist or even get a second opinion? Mine was near the optic nerve and I was told it needed treating before my vision started getting affected.

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2 replies
mkoch | @mkoch | Apr 5 1:42pm
In reply to @ncadler "here is MY story: For 15+ years I have had a small meningioma, 1.5 cm., in..." + (show)
@ncadler

here is MY story:
For 15+ years I have had a small meningioma, 1.5 cm., in the parietal lobe that has done nothing! it was diagnosed at University of California Davis.
INTHE LAST MONTH (March 2025) my head grew one that went from zero to nearly 4cm.
that is scheduled to be removed surgically this month BECAUSE of the size, location, rate of growth.
Previously I had a stage 3 astrocytoma, the size of a golf ball with radiation afterwards, from which I recovered 40 yrs ago. that surgery took over 12 hours! This is reported to only take 3 hrs.

I suggest that a person not worry. with 21century technology, most anything is safe and doable! Good luck to all!

Jump to this post

Great advice! You definitely seem to be a person who sees the glass as "half full" rather than "half empty." Good for you! Sending well-wishes your way for your upcoming surgery.

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mkoch | @mkoch | Apr 5 1:46pm
In reply to @mono21 "Good morning, I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September..." + (show)
@mono21

Good morning,
I have meningioma. They found it back in June. It was 15mm. In September it was at 18.4. In February it’s at 2.1 cm. Dr will do nothing just monitor it in September I’ll have another ct to see if it’s grown. I have terrible headaches and my vision is getting bad. Now just sit and wait

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Who is this doctor? If it's just a neurologist I'd suggest you really need to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon.

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1 reply
mono21 | @mono21 | Apr 6 8:13am
In reply to @mkoch "Who is this doctor? If it's just a neurologist I'd suggest you really need to get..." + (show)
@mkoch

Who is this doctor? If it's just a neurologist I'd suggest you really need to get a consultation with a neurosurgeon.

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It’s a doctor in Santa Fe. I’m waiting for an appointment at the Mayo in Rochester. I honestly thought it was kinda crazy because it’s growing and he just wants to keep on it. He is a neurosurgeon.
Thank yiu

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