Meningioma: Anyone else? I'm frightened
I just found out I have a Meningioma tumor from a MRI I had for something else. Doctor said they are almost always benign and am going to get an appointment with a neurologist. Anyone else have one of these. I’m getting very frightened now.
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Whoops-was reading our exchange and my husband corrected me. My meningioma was 2.7 centimeters, not millimeters. My neurosurgeon also specializes in meningiomas. I am glad to hear you will be taking care of this at Duke University. You're in good hands.
@mkoch Thank you for your reply. That gives me hope. Next week I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon at Duke University Hospitals- about three hours from my house. Duke is considered one of the top hospitals for neurosurgery and the surgeon I’m seeing for the consult specializes in meningiomas. I am hopeful that he’ll say the same thing your doctor said. Thanks again.
Perhaps you have read about my experience 7 months ago. I had a 2.7 mm. meningioma that was 1/16 th of an inch from my optic nerve. The neurologist that I first consulted when the meningioma was found incidentally during a scan for something else referred me to a radiation oncologist as I was told it was too close to my optic nerve to do surgery. The radiation oncologist agreed. My daughter insisted I go to UCSF and talk to a neurosurgeon.
He said, "No problem, I do one or two a week." (specifically that close to the optic nerve)
The surgery was successful; the entire meningioma was removed.
The surgery was much easier than I had ever imagined. I was home on the third day. Except for the pain med given during surgery, I only took tylenol. One drawback was that I did have double vision for 3 1/2 months after my surgery. But, that resolved and I am doing well. I might add that it is imperative that you receive care at a top notch neurosurgical center.
Hi, I just found out two weeks ago that I have a meningioma on my right optic nerve. It’s 1 cm. I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon next week to determine a treatment plan. I have some vision loss which seems unlikely to return, even with surgery. I’m scared but trying to be positive- unlikely to be cancerous, very healthy otherwise, etc.
"Purple Turtle" were the strokes because of the meningioma being there?
Yes unfortunately they did.
Did having the strokes have anything to do with the presence of the meningioma, or was that a totally, separate issue.
I was diagnosed in the early 1990’s with a small meningioma. The decision was to watch and wait. I haven’t noticed any problems with it. It was discovered when I had a CT scan for a sinus problem. As you can see, I’ve had it a long time. Of course, see a neurologist if you’re having symptoms. Prayer helps, too.
I understand how frightening it was to receive this diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with my menginoma in 2005 after an mri for my Menierer's diagnosis.
I was told it was almost always benign and to just have it checked every year which I did for a while. Then I got lazy and stopped following up. My family doctor insisted I follow up in 2018 with a mri. My tumor was there but I was diagnosed with amyloid angioplasty a very rare untreatable
uncurable issue. I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a 2nd opinion. They said the only way to diagnose it 100% would be with a brain biopsy after death. They also told me my menginoma was growing and recommended having a radiation treatment to try to slow or stop the growth. Unfortunately it didn't work and I had 2 major strokes in 2019. After the 2nd stroke I had to have emergency surgery to remove my tumor which was a grade 1. I have had frequent mris since then to follow the tumor. Thankfully it is stable.
The surgery affected my left side balance but I am functioning.
I wish you the best.
Correction: February 2024