#MayoClinicNeuroChat about Brain Tumors

Hi Sandy, no worries. All you have to do is come back to this page and the video will be at the top. If you aren't able to log on at the time of the broadcast, it will be archived here to watch later, too.

I have a benign dermoid tumor located above the basilar artery in the Circle of Willis. It was discovered by accident January 2015 with a CAT scan to the brain after I had fainted and taken a fall. It was followed up with an MRI. I can find very little information on this kind of malady and was told by my family physician not to worry about it unless I developed symptoms. The radiologist report also advised to follow up with a neurologist if symptoms arose. The problem is I have no idea what symptoms would signal a problem. I am 61 years old and in good health, but had a second fainting episode and fall in January 2016. I was referred to a cardiologist who diagnosed it as orthostatic hypotension. What symptoms could arise that would be attributed to this tumor given its location as opposed to normal age-related problems and/or orthostatic hypotension? I have no idea what symptoms could arise or what would signal that I should be referred to a neurologist.

Hi @that_girl. Unfortunately, we cannot provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. Some patients are asymptomatic. I did send your questions to a Neuroscience team member, and they recommend that you ask your primary care provider to research it, since they know your care best.

Due to the expected effects of Hurricane Irma, this Live Q&A has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 1:15 p.m. ET. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Good decision from my perspective.

Thank you for change of time. As above, not computer savvy and appreciate the communication direction in this important topic in a medical system that is rapidly changing and complex. Tried to get my former visit report with the neurologist, since my primary physician initiated the order, is not part of the neurologist medical network, I guess data can get lost, either to primary physician or patient in this HIPPA, territorial medical complex. JIM>>>>>>>>>

Hi, I am new in this "forum". I am a 42-year-old, mother of two teenagers. After suffering for many years from severe headaches, recently, I have been diagnosed with a benign meningioma in the brain, my concern is that my doctor has told me that there is nothing to do for the moment just monitoring every 1 to 2 years and be aware of symptoms or changes in my health. A benign meningioma can remain harmless or does a moment come where it reaches to its malignant stage?

Thank you so much for hosting a Brain Tumor chat. It is a gift to learn more about brain tumors from Mayo Clinic experts as they answer questions and discuss in depth this complex medical issue. Here are my questions for the chat.
1. Are very small benign (less than 1 cm) Meningioma Tumor's ever mis-diagnosed, or does the location (in the dura matter) of the brain always make it just a meningioma?
2. Is there any value in decoding the genes in benign brain tumors, like there is in malignant brain tumors?
3. Why would the proton beam not always be the better option for brain tumor treatment considering it's less invasive than all the other choices?
Thanks again for organizing this Brain Tumor chat.

Buen dia tengo necesito ayuda para mi mamá a quien le diagnosticaron un meningioma cerebral hace dos años,el cual causa dolor en el trigemino y le es imposible hablar y comer, fue tratada hacd dos años con una radiocirugia pero la masa no desaparecio. Quiero saber si existe otra alternativa para ella y en que pais y si me puden ayudar porque ella sufre mucho por ese meningioama

I have the same question. And How often should you do an MRI to see if there are changes?