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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@bobhills

Sander, thanks for your reply. As a man who has had the surgery, I would say that if you can avoid it then do so. The recovery process is a bitch and appears that it will take a while. The actual surgery problems are no more than minimal, but the medications required are not
good at all. One those is KEPPRA which provides horrible times.

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I have heard many different things about Keppra. I understand it is to prevent seizures. They can develop when the brain swells from surgery or from trauma because of the surgery. I hope I don’t have to go through it. I hope you start feeling better soon!

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@cyndymc

No balance issues

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That is good. I am going to a neurologist tomorrow so will see what she has to say about my symptoms.

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@deblee

That is good. I am going to a neurologist tomorrow so will see what she has to say about my symptoms.

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Hi, @deblee - wondering how your appointment went yesterday?

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Surgery is a way to go but you may have a slow growing tumor and if you symtems are slight you can live with it a long time. There is always risk in surgery. I had two tumors they effected my sight and I had a lot of headaches. balanace and sight. One was operatable the other is still there and is on my optic nerve. My headaches are less but my sight is a crap shoot. I had proton radiation and so far the optic tumor has not changed but you never know. The relief of having one out was nice but you are never sure what is going on with the tumor until they get in there. I didn't wait too long because my symtens were multiplying but every situation is different.

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@lisalucier

Hi, @deblee - wondering how your appointment went yesterday?

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I was told that I may also have polyneuropathy. The neurologist scheduled me for a nerve study the end of the month. They still don't think my symptoms are coming from my tumor, but I didn't have the tingling and numbness until after I started having scans for the meningioma.

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@deblee

I was told that I may also have polyneuropathy. The neurologist scheduled me for a nerve study the end of the month. They still don't think my symptoms are coming from my tumor, but I didn't have the tingling and numbness until after I started having scans for the meningioma.

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I had a nerve study for possible carpal tunnel. Ended up only being mild in my right hand and moderate in my left hand. So I am not going to have that surgery. My hands would “fall asleep” at night time. For me it comes and goes so it may just be the effects of arthritis. The doctor that did the nerve test said either you have it or you don’t. I am currently not having problems. I also have a left frontal convexity meningioma. I am on wait and watch. Just had 3rd MRI and waiting to see my neurosurgeon next week. I hope you can find some help and relief from your neuropathy.

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@pegorr

Wow, I thought maybe I was over worrying about my multiple tumors after two craniotomies, gamma knife and cyber knife, but have had swelling on my right cheekbone, pain, etc. and now find out the meningioma behind my right eye has started to grow , is invading my sinus and above cheekbone. Good Grief right. Has anyone had an experience with this. I was told it's too dangerous to operate so will need another round of radiation. This is definitely the never-ending story, and yet doctors act like having meningiomas are no big deal. peg

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There a new radiations with Protons+ They don't affect normal cells. they are more precise too. You should ask who can use them for you. Best wishes.

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Wow, I thought maybe I was over worrying about my multiple tumors after two craniotomies, gamma knife and cyber knife, but have had swelling on my right cheekbone, pain, etc. and now find out the meningioma behind my right eye has started to grow , is invading my sinus and above cheekbone. Good Grief right. Has anyone had an experience with this. I was told it's too dangerous to operate so will need another round of radiation. This is definitely the never-ending story, and yet doctors act like having meningiomas are no big deal. peg

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@sanderjakidd

I had a nerve study for possible carpal tunnel. Ended up only being mild in my right hand and moderate in my left hand. So I am not going to have that surgery. My hands would “fall asleep” at night time. For me it comes and goes so it may just be the effects of arthritis. The doctor that did the nerve test said either you have it or you don’t. I am currently not having problems. I also have a left frontal convexity meningioma. I am on wait and watch. Just had 3rd MRI and waiting to see my neurosurgeon next week. I hope you can find some help and relief from your neuropathy.

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I have decided not to have the nerve study since needles would have to be placed in my legs feet and face. Also, from what I have learned, there is not much that can be done even if something is found, and like you there might not be a definitive answer.

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@deblee

I have decided not to have the nerve study since needles would have to be placed in my legs feet and face. Also, from what I have learned, there is not much that can be done even if something is found, and like you there might not be a definitive answer.

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I’m waiting to be scheduled for one to rule out ocular myesthenia Gravis since I have Grave’s eye disease. I’ve had it done before. It’s not terrible.

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