Watching a Meningioma Brain Tumor

Hi,
My sister had Gamma Knife at Mayo in Rochester for 3 small new tumors. She had had surgery 15 years ago for a 5cm meningioma on her frontal lobe. Also caused seizures. She will return to Mayo in April for another MRI. We live in Atlanta but she felt more confident to let the Neurosurgeons at Mayo make the critical decisions. Is that a possibility for you instead of more surgery? Best Wishes for you, Nancy

Hi Robin, I was 59 years old as well as my Meningioma was discovered on the left side "sphenoid wing" growing round my optical nerve, it had a size of 6cm. I was operated immediately since it was pushing on my brain creating seizure, etc. Anyway, back in 2012 I got my operation, since then I am on the Wait & Watch list, every six months MRI. Unfortunately, at the last MRI they discovered a small growth 5mm (total size 3cm x. 4.4cm). I was informed that during the next operation my speech could be damaged and I could loose my vision in both eyes. I am sad/concerned about this news and look for the very best Neurosurgeon who has done these kind of surgeries. Otherwise ...I am so happy I did do the operation back in 2012 and if it would stay like this, I could not wish or ask for a better life!!!

Robin, you asked "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? That is an excellent question. Like Scott says, every person's situation is different. My understanding is watch and wait is recommended when the risk of growth is lower than the risk and/or side effects of treatment. That is a dreadful over simplification. It is better explained here: https://www.braintumour.ca/5833/ask-the-expert-the-wait-and-see-approach

We have several members living with meningioma who have had treatment and others who are under "active surviellance" (my preferred term to watch and wait). Let me bring a few more members into this discussion @eleanor1931seminara1931 @pegorr @lindajean @barbarabx @nancye3 @cnesselroad.

If I were you, I'd ask the surgeon to explain more specifically about the position and rate of growth that may lead to needing surgery later. And if surgery is inevitable, why not sooner?

Thanks for your response. It helps to know others are dealing with the same issue. My family is freaking out, as I am their "person". It doesn't seem fair to them or me to wait and watch, when they have already told me I will need to do something with it. I'm scared to death of the craniotomy surgery, but I guess I would like to get it over and move on with my life hopefully...

Hello @robinm I am sorry for the circumstances, but it is nice to e-meet you here on Connect. I am Scott and I was the primary caregiver for my wife during her war with brain cancer. Her initial diagnosis was given to her in Chicago and was basically told to 'just wait and watch'. I understand cancer is a very individualistic disease and I certainly am no medical professional, but in her case especially she was a Type-A personality that was not an option for her so she decided on a second option and to undergo a stereotactic biopsy at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

In her case she simply felt she would rather know all she could immediately than take a wait and see approach. But as I said I fully understand how cancer is a very individualistic disease both in how it attacks, how each body reacts, and each patient's psychological approach to it.

Strength, Courage, and Peace.

Same boat except I'm 62. Wait and watch. Might grow. Might not. The uncertainty truly sucks.