2 suspected meningioma

[Blessed1982]

I have been referred to see a specialist on the 31st but don't know what to expect from the mri my personal GP done it shows one suspected meningioma on either side 1cm and 2cm

Does anyone have any advice on what to expect on the 31st

[Lytham]

Sorry to hear about a worrying time for you. As far as I can remember the first appointment was to discuss what they've found and to discus the various options going forward and what to expect.

Good luck and take care x

[Blessed1982 in reply to Lytham]

Thank you for replying. Do they do another in depth MRI or discuss the results of the one my GP done

[Lytham in reply to Blessed1982]

I think with me it was to discuss the results of the one the GP arranged but they did do one of their own at a later date. Just a tip but my mind went blank when I went so any questions you have, write them down along with the answersx

[Blessed1982 in reply to Lytham]

Thank you for responding. Hope your doing good.

[Lytham in reply to Blessed1982]

I'm fine thanks, mine were 17yrs ago, they removed one and I had stereo tactic radio surgery on the other one. I have mris every 5 yrs but so far so good (touch wood) x

[Blessed1982 in reply to Lytham]

Glad to hear your doing good. Are you allowed to refuse surgery if needed and use another form of treatment as I don't want surgery. Mine are 1cm and 2

[Lytham in reply to Blessed1982]

It may be that they go for a watch and wait, mine were 3cm each. When i asked my surgeon about not having the op his answer wasn't favourable but see what they say, there's lots of factors to consider, where they are etc? X

[Blessed1982 in reply to Lytham]

What is stereo tactic radio surgery. Could you of had that on both

[Lytham in reply to Blessed1982]

A cage was put on my head and i was put into an mri like machine and it was a lazer zapped it. Apparently they couldn't do that with the first one, it had to come out straight away. The 2nd one couldn't be operated on x

[Lytham in reply to Blessed1982]

It's also called Gamma knife x

[Carsok in reply to Blessed1982]

I had a meningioma and had stereotactic radiation for it (Cyber Knife). Because of the location of my meningioma I was told not to let anyone operate on it by my surgeon. It was in a location that would have had too much damage done. Most that I've heard of are usually watch and wait.

[Blessed1982 in reply to Carsok]

Do you know what Neurosurgery - General cranial means as that is the department I have to go to. I really don't want surgery

[Carsok in reply to Blessed1982]

I worked for Neurologist at one time. Just because you are going doesn't mean you have to have surgery. I saw a neurosurgeon for mine and he told me not to operate. Don't forget you're just going to get an opinion. If you're not comfortable you can always go get a second opinion. That's what I did.

[Blessed1982 in reply to Carsok]

Thank you for replying. Are you on watch and wait. Mine are at the top of my head.

[Carsok in reply to Blessed1982]

Mine is next to my brainstem and also wrapped around trigeminal nerve and going into cavernous sinus and Meckel's cave. Doctor told me no surgery. It would do too much damage. I had radiation and so far so good. I was diagnosed in 2013 and I'm still doing okay at 74.

[Blessed1982 in reply to Carsok]

Glad your doing well. Have yours grown or remained the same

[Carsok in reply to Blessed1982]

I know it's easy to say not to worry but it does help to keep occupied and not dwell on it. I've been through quite a bit in my lifetime and have found that sometimes I needlessly worried and got myself into a state for no reason. In fact I first had an MRI and was told there was nothing wrong. Three years later a doctor compared the old MRI with the new one and said it was there the whole time and they just missed it. With the radiation mine shrunk a little bit, not much, but I don't even think about it unless I come on a site as this to help, if I can, someone get through it. I've quite a few physical problems that I've dealt with and at this point I just kind of think of the meningioma as something that's just there and don't worry about it. I believe you'll be fine and will be saying a prayer for you.

[Blessed1982 in reply to Carsok]

Thank you so much

[Emz8311]

Went thru this earlier this year, my first appointment was to discuss the location of my tumours nd the treatment needed they were very good in explaining the right treatment and my options, i had 1 removed as was loosing my vision due to it, i now have 4 left in place on a watch and see approach, definitely write down questions and take with you, your mind just goes blank, it's alot to take it all in, hope it goes OK for you

[Blessed1982 in reply to Emz8311]

Thank you for replying. Was you having any symptoms

[Emz8311 in reply to Blessed1982]

No problem, yes I went to the gp in Feb with loss of feeling in left side of face and blurred vision in left eye, was told maybe I had a viral thing n sent away, i went bk multiple times as vision got worse and was a complete blur in left eye, had a constant headach eventually A&E sent me to eye clinic from there I was sent for a urgent mri and they found 5 meningiomas the one causing issues was next to pituitary gland and was compressing the optic nerve, i have another 1 near that but can't be removed so will probably need radiation therapy at some point,

[Blessed1982 in reply to Emz8311]

Thank you for sharing with me. I don't know anything yet

[HooYoo]

Hi! Thankfully yours has been detected early on so you'll have a range of options. Maybe radiotherapy or surgery. Mine was detected by my optician, when I was losing my sight. I was admitted to hospital that day and had surgery 3 days later. The tumour they removed was 8.5 cms.

I have had a lot of complications (6 brain surgeries in one year) from it being removed when it was so large and now have a shunt/hydrocephalus for life and focal seizures. The tumour started to grow back rapidly in multiple places so I had to have radiotherapy within in a month (the initial plan 6 months earlier, was for 5 years time)

You are as your username says 'blessed' (I'm also 1982) that it was detected so early. I didn't think I would see my 40th birthday or my son going to secondary school. I feel blessed to have seen many milestones in the past 2 years since my diagnosis. I wish you all the best and send good vibes your way.

🥰🥰🥰

[Blessed1982 in reply to HooYoo]

Thank you. I have been feeling exactly the same way but I am trusting and believing in God that I will be ok and everything will work out. I hope you are doing better now too

[Paper2021]

So sorry you may be joining the Elite club. You may find out more about your diagnosis from a Neurologist. If they feel you need surgery (size, location and any symptoms dependant) they will refer your further. I am no expert. I was referred for surgery and it was successful. My surgery was back in February this year. Try not to worry. I still have a very small one that was left alone. I wish you well. 💕

[Blessed1982 in reply to Paper2021]

Thank you. I don't want surgery so I am hoping there will be other treatments open to me if needed but from the scan my GP did there is one of each side. ( One is 1cm and the other is 2cm)

[Quiltingrammy in reply to Blessed1982]

my two tumors were found accidentally (incidental ) after a concussion. I saw a neurosurgeon who thought I needed one taken out within two weeks and the other one was inoperable. Thankfully I can go anywhere for care. I went to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, saw a neurologist who assessed my neuro function and said I really needed to see a neurosurgeon for discussion on surgery or not.

The neurosurgeon has me watch and waiting. I’ve had three scans with no changes in the tumors, so, right now I am okay waiting.

Here, at best, the GP can read the radiology report, sort for go through the ‘slices” of the MRI but it really isn’t their expertise.

Unless the MRI was not done well, there isn’t a “more intensive “ MRI. It’s all there, just needs to be interpreted.

Best of luck.

[Quiltingrammy]

both the local neurosurgeon and Dr. Bi at Dana Farber said typically, based on its shape, they can have a pretty good idea if it is. Here they don’t grade them until they have surgery. And, if they tell you the tumors have calcification, it just means you have lived with them for years. Best

[Carsok]

Meningioma's are usually not cancerous. I've had mine now for 20 years and no problems.

[Blessed1982 in reply to Carsok]

Have you had surgery

[Carsok]

Most meningiomas are not cancerous. Hope that relieves your mind.

[Lytham]

He told me he didn't think it was then the biopsy confirmed it after he'd taken it out x

[Zhaleh_TBTC Administrator]

Hello and thank you for your post. We have some useful information on scans here and what to expect: thebraintumourcharity.org/b... I hope this helps. Warmest wishes, The Support Team

[AGwarrior]

Hi there....it depends where it is located and if it is causing any symptoms.

They may suggest just to monitor with interval MRI every 6 months to a year