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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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)

this can be scary. try not?

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

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!

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.

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)

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

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)

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

cscmaryann | @cscmaryann | Apr 3 3:40pm

In reply to @cscmaryann "I have never heard of a gamma tile. I will look that one up." + (show)

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

lawendy | @lawendy | Apr 2 10:49pm

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

I have the exact same thing. Behind my right eye stage 1. I watched it for four years and it has begun to grow. I have no symptoms. If it grows I will. Gamma knife is too strong my docs told me 3 top neurosurgeons but targeted radiation like cyberknife or linear accelerator is safe for that area. I had five treatments and my last today. Mild headaches and fatigue. I will have a follow up MRI in 3 months. Gamma packs a very strong punch near the optic nerve. Do some research.

lawendy | @lawendy | Apr 2 10:44pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "Robin, you asked "I am 59 years old and the surgeon has told me I will..." + (show)

I was a watch and waiter for four years. I am 63 and very active. My last MRI showed some growth and I am still stage 1. 2 surgeons wanted me to wait a year to see if I want surgery and another highly respected one said don’t wait another year. I jumped in and did radiation and finished today. five in five days linear accelerator pin pointed with a mask etc. I wanted to stop the growth. It was SLOW growth but i took the leap. Surgery scared me so I wanted to be proactive. Keep getting MRIs and if it grows take action and do your research. I made the right choice for my comfort level. It’s a game of anxiety for sure. Best of luck.