Neurosurgeon visit: Should I get another appointment?

My meningioma was 1cm when I saw the neurosurgeon and he said to wait as it might not grow. I had an MRI every year to monitor it and in 2019 it had started to grow. So, he did the Gamma surgery and I have had no problems.
Good luck

Thank you. Maybe mine won’t grow hopefully. Was yours frontal? How long did you have radiation to?

Since yours is small enough for Gamma knife, from what I understand about size of yours, if it doesn't grow in s year, waiting seems the right idea. If it's the neurosurgeon talking to you and he/she has had a lot of experience with meningiomas, seems prudent to go with what they suggest. If you're unsettled, get another opinion.

@patbaret, it sounds like you have questions that remained unanswered. I agree with @cscmaryann that you may wish to consider a second opinion. If I recall correctly, you are located in Florida, so you may wish to consider brain tumor experts at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. You can read more about meningioma care at Mayo here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/meningioma/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20355651

Yes, I am thinking about calling Mayo. My NS is from Tampa General which is also recognized nationally. I do believe a second opinion should be examined.

Colleen....I called Jacksonville and a young lady there told me they do not handle Meningioma's there and that I would have to go to the Rochester location. Can you clarify for me??

Thank you
I do not want to go to Minnesota, but will give Mayo a call to see if I can do a virtual apt for a second opinion.

@birdie1234, there seems to have been some miscommunication. I suggest calling Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville again to clarify. Meningiomas are treated at Mayo in Florida. Without knowing the specifics of your situation, I can only venture to guess that there was miscommunication or it is possible that your situation needs care or treatment like proton beam only offered at the Rochester location.

What’s the difference between protein beam and gamma knife? My NS said something about zapping me without explanation. I think he meant gamma knife.

Good question, Pat.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is the general term for precise delivery of focused radiation beams to treat tumors and other problems in the brain, neck, lungs, liver, spine and other parts of the body.

Gamma Knife machines use 192 or 201 small beams of gamma rays to target and treat cancerous and noncancerous brain abnormalities. Gamma Knife machines are used primarily for small to medium tumors and lesions in the brain associated with a variety of conditions.

Proton beam therapy (charged particle radiosurgery) is the newest type of stereotactic radiosurgery and is available in only a few research centers in the U.S, although the number of centers offering proton beam therapy has greatly increased in the last few years. Proton beam therapy can treat brain cancers in a single session using stereotactic radiosurgery, or it can use fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to treat body tumors over several sessions.

Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stereotactic-radiosurgery/about/pac-20384526
and
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brain-stereotactic-radiosurgery/about/pac-20384679

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is offered at all Mayo Clinic locations.

Proton beam therapy at Mayo Clinic is currently offered in MN and AZ. Florida will soon have proton beam. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/proton-beam-therapy-program/sections/proton-therapy-facilities/gnc-20187682