Meningioma: Anyone else? I'm frightened

I am 69 yrs old male currently at the Mayo in Rochester. I had a 2.6 cm by 2 cm by 2.3 cm meningioma removed last Monday Nov 25.
The surgery lasted 7 hours and my masively deviated septum was corrected. ( that was great) the drs informed me that they were very happy with the surgery, and they were able to remove all of the meningioma. I was surprised at this news as it had surrounded both cart arteries the pituitary gland and was pressing on my optic nerve. I was having blurred vision in my left eye.
Immediately after surgery I had a very significant loss of vision in both eyes. My right eye was 20/20 prior to surgery. After about 36 hours most of my vision has returned to my right eye.
I am early into my recovery, and I think only time will tell.
The big question I have now is the Drs want me to be seen by a Neuro oncologist. The pathology came back benign type 1 meningioma. No one has been able to tell me why an oncologist is being brought in now? I am experiencing mild headaches and very sensitive to bright lights.
I’ll let you all know as things progress.

I agree, best hospital, best possible outcome. That’s why I chose the recently merged MassGeneral/Brigham and Women. Mayo is number 1 in the country, I believe. You can’t beat that! Lahey could not have done my procedure because they do not have the technical equipment. Let’s face it, you can have a bad experience anywhere, so increase your odds and go to the best possible place your insurance allows. My particular meningioma is so involved around critical nerves and pituitary gland and carotid artery that risks are too great. Every situation is different. I’m actually having a triple cervical fusion on Dec. 9, Then onto the others in May. Be sure to ask the doctor his best suggestion if it were his family member.

To MKoch
My doctors consulted with a team. It was determined to wait 6 months and have another MRA. They did mention the possibility of going through the groin to drain or repair. Another option is to go directed into my head to correct it that way. The procedure you mentioned was said explained in your terms, so it may or not be the same. They are willing to perform the procedure now, but the recommendation is to wait. It may never grow bigger. He said if I were 45, they would do the surgery now because I would have another 30 years ahead of me. Since I’m 75, it is felt a watch and see is best. Why put me through the risks when it may not grow. Depending on the testing in May for both the meningioma and the aneurysm, I will make a decision one way or another. Right now, I’m a walking time bomb. I guess we have to evaluate risk over reward. Keep me posted and I will do the same. Good luck.

Minnesota is basically your neighbor. I would go to Mayo Rochester, MN. I fly there from down south. It is so worth the time, effort and expenditure to be at the best place you can.

babeanna: The word "aneurysm" in your post caught my eye. I am 72, had a craniotomy a year ago. Last spring, on a follow-up MRI for the resected meningioma, they found a 6mm aneurysm. While I have found a lot of posts on the Mayo Forum regarding meningiomas, not so much on their site for aneurysms. I was stunned by the news last April so soon after my craniotomy and just couldn't deal with making a decision about the aneurysm. I told the doctor I would choose the "watch-and-wait" protocol for 6 months. My question for you is, did the doctors at Mass General suggest the coiling procedure where they thread a plastic catheter through your arteries, into your brain, and place coils (like the old "slinky" toy is how my neurosurgeon described them) to shut off the flow of blood into the aneurysm. I'm allowing myself to enjoy Thanksgiving with the family but then I need to make a decision about what to do about the aneurysm. It's been a major source of stress for me these past 6 months.

I was diagnosed with a 6cm meningioma of the cavernous sinus in April, 2024. It is surrounding my pituitary gland and close to the optic nerve. I am being followed at Mass General/Brigham hospital in Boston. There is no possibility of removing the entire tumor. Some can be removed to protect my optic nerve and vision. This was my second opinion. It is also noted that I have a related 6mm aneurism in the area. I am 75 yrs old. Due to its location, close to carotid artery and many nerves involved in the tumor, my doctor suggests I review testing in May to determine if there is growth. Since my symptoms are only blurry vision and mild infrequent headaches, it is felt that the risk for stroke, vision and nerve loss, outweigh the benefits at this time. Worsening symptoms may determine surgery. Both the tumor and aneurysm will be reevaluated in May, 2025. While I am moved to get as much of the tumor removed as possible, I completely trust my doctor and one on the best hospitals in the country. If your tumor is in this area, I suggest a neuro-opthamology consult to assess vision loss and an MRA which is an MRI that shows the arteries. Good luck to you all!

Thank you!

I am not familiar with anyone well versed in that area. I had to travel to Rochester Mayo and UPMC Pittsburgh for experts. I went somewhere close and was not at all pleased. The neurosurgeon was not nearly on the same page as the other two. UPMC and Mayo were the same opinions and treatment. Both did over 100 of these per year, in the exact location of the brain. The skull base. Make sure you find a surgeon that does at least 100 per year if that’s your location. There’s a good research paper that was done that shows the complication rates go way down if they do. Good luck!

Minnesota Mayo

Thank you for your detailed reply! I will look into a second opinion.