Schwannoma recurrence

[musicman5]

I had a craniotomy for a large(4.5 cm) scwannoma 6 months ago, which I'm still working to recover from. My recent MRI from March 1 showed a much smaller growth which is suspect for a recurrent and I'll be having Gamma Knife surgery to deal with the new growth in 4-6 weeks. I'm just wondering how many folks have had to deal with a recurrent Schwannoma and how long after your surgery it was discovered? Chuck(67 yr. old)

[Pinkrose1]

Hi, so sorry to hear you have to have further treatment, my surgeon said mine may regrow but hopefully not, it was 3cm. I had surgery 6 months ago and an MRI about 4 months after and i have been told it's then an annual MRI. Hopefully all will go well with yours and the gamma knife will put a stop to any more growth.

[musicman5 in reply to Pinkrose1]

Thank you for the reply! I hope that your recovery is going well. I'm guessing that I'll also be needing to have an annual MRI.

[Kristyll]

Sorry I have. O knowledge of what you had us I sincerely hope all goes well for you

[musicman5]

Thank you Krystyll

[mumumelon]

Yes, I have your situation. I had regrowth of a large acoustic neuroma 2 years after surgery. As s you will have, I had gamma knife surgery. The surgery shrunk but did not eliminate the tumor, which has remained about 1 cm for ten years. Every two years I have an MRI for evaluation. I hope your gamma knife surgery will reduce or remove your tumor. You have been through a tough time and I wish you the best. I often feel as if I live with a little enemy in my mind, but I trust that medicine knows how to deal with him.

[musicman5 in reply to mumumelon]

Thank you for the reply. I'm glad to hear that the Gamma Knife surgery worked to stop the growth of the new tumor. I think that my GN surgery will be on March 31 and I'm hopeful for a successful surgery and quick recovery, unlike the long rehab process after my craniotomy. Take care!

[MonicaL83]

Hi there. Sorry to hear of what you have been through. It’s a process… My tumor was 3.5 cm so a bit smaller than yours. My craniotomy and gamma knife were in 2009. Since then, I have had no regrowth my MRI used to be annually, now it is every other year.

[musicman5 in reply to MonicaL83]

I very much appreciate your reply and support. It's good to know that you haven't had any tumor growth since your GN Surgery. I'm curious as to whether you had any balance, coordination, fine-motor issues after your initial craniotomy. I'm still going to OT and PT and doing home exercises 6 months after my surgery. Thanks, Chuck