Brain Tumor FAQs

Brain Tumor FAQs

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Topic: Adult Brain Tumors

Displaying questions 1 to 25 of about 802

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After radiation following brain tumor surgery, I am plagued by 24/7 headache, frequent migraines (every week, double vision, vertigo, acute hearing, light sensitivity and insomnia. My radiation was 8 years ago. I have gone to a pain clinic with no help and have tried most pain medications, along with acupuncture, nerve blocks, biofeedback, and more. Are there any new treatments for me? I am totally disabled because of this.
I am a 29 years young, otherwise healthy male. Three months ago I went to the doctor to complain about a blur in my left eye. After careful examination, I was sent to the MRI and, to my dismay, I was told about a very large tumor+cyst(5x6x7cm)in my frontal lobe. After the urgent surgery, I was told that the cyst was pressing against my optic nerve and that the actual tumor was a low-grade astrocytoma (presumed to be grade I at first but later changed to grade II). I have not had any symptoms before or after surgery, only that my long lasting (10 years or so) neck/headaches have been gone for 12 weeks without any medication. So the actual questions are following: 1) is it possible to have tumor consisting of both grades I and II and if it is, is it a indication for better or worse? 2)Could my tumor be something else than astrocytoma(e.g., schwannoma or oligodendroglioma)? Or are those tumor types clear and without other possibilities? 3) Your suggestion for follow-up treatment?
My partner was diagnosed with an inoperable grade 4 brain tumour in December, 2010 (size about 4cms). It is in the pineal region, which I have read is extrememly rare. He had 6 weeks of temozolomide and radiation followed by 6 months of temozolomide, which finished in October 2011. We have just had a scan (which we are given every 3 months) which shows that the tumour has shrunk quite significanlty (it has even shrunk by a couple of mm and is less solid than the March scan). The consultant says the shrinkage is due to the chemo, which ended 9 months ago. Is this normal for a grade 4 tumour to continue to reduce so long after the chemo has ended? As I have read that grade 4s are SO RARE in the pineal region, we wondered if it could be due to a misdiagnosis or we were just incredibly lucky.
I am very frustrated. I have been experiencing dizziness, my right face has drooped little bit, I am loosing control over my saliva, in the past (a couple of times), I have experienced a weird feeling in my head all over, experience very no to mild headache, my tongue has become somewhat numb on periphery. Some of the times, experience general weakness. I had my CT Scan and MRI with contrast dye a few months ago. Recently also, I had my CT Scan. There are no findings. I am not sure what is causing this? How much time does it take to detect a brain tumor?
I am a 33 year old male from India. In 2001, I was diagnosed as low grade astrocytoma. Doctors told us no need to worry. In 2007, I came back from SA and had some mri's. Again, doctors told us no problem. In 2010, I faced a problem with walking and frequently have seizures in my right leg and hand. I came back from SA and took the advice of doctors who told me to go for surgery. After surgery, I was diagnosed as OLIGODENDROGLIOMA WHO GRADE II, left parietal lobe on 1/19/2011. After that, they wrote for follow up treatment as was IMRT. After radiation, the doctor advised to do an MRI after one year and I had the MRI on 6/21/2012. The report says: 1) Marginal regression in the size of lesion is noted. 2) Enhancing lesion which was noted in operative bed area in previous scan now reveals complete regression. 3) Small, presistent, well defined cyst is seen in left Centrum semiovale. 4) No evidence of midline shift. Doctor told me to continue tablet which I was take since 2001, FRISIUM 10 AND OXETOL 600. CAN OLIGODENDROGLIOMA WHO GRADE II BE INHERITED? I already have one child and I am looking forward to having another child. Is there any effect of the tablet that I am taking on my child?
Is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) a possible side effect of Temodar?
My wife has a brain tumor and was treated for it with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This shrank it, and it remained stable for 5 years, then last year it came back. They operated on her head and removed as much as they could; they then placed chemo flakes in her head, and are now treating her with chemo. After the operation, it left her weak down her left side, and she had to learn to walk again. Everything was fine up until 3 weeks ago, and now she has become weak again, and struggles to walk again. We contacted the doctor, who checked her platelets. He told us they were very low, 71, and has given her steriods. My question to you is...... could the platelets make her that weak down her left side, or is it something else.
I have an oligodendroglioma grade II malignant brain tumor. It was discovered on October 14th 2011, and I had an awake craniotomy on November 3rd. I want to find out if I can get help to get rid of my tumour. As it is a slow grower, I have not had any treatment after my surgery. I want to find out as much as possible; the information in the UK is rubbish. I hope you can advise me.
My daughter who is receiving intrathecal chemotherapy via a brain port is now having seizures most days. Is this a frequent side effect? How to treat? Cause? How long will this go on?
After surviving for sixteen years with no regrowth, I have been told by my neurologist that I should switch from annual MRIs to having one every other year. For peace of mind, I would prefer annual MRIs, but am concerned about the gadolinium, which I am told contains "heavy metal", and can be dangerous. With this in mind, would you recommend the less frequent MRIs?
Could we see necrosis as a result of radiotherapy (after AA surgery) after four years and is that necrosis highlighted with the MRI gadolinium injection?
My husband was diagnosed with GBM in January, 2011. He had the tumor removed an has been receiving radiation, chemotherapy (Temodar) and Avastin. My question is: what are the effects of these treatments on his health, mentally, physically and emotionally. I would like to know what to expect in the future. I tried to get some information from his oncologist, but cannot get her to return my calls (she is "too busy" to return calls). I would very much appreciate your answer.
I have a question about the use of melatonin. Ben A. Williams's "Role of Supplements" paper discusses cancer patients in Italy using 20 mg. of melatonin a day. How does one take that much melatonin? The pills that are sold as sleep aids are 300 micrograms. And aren't there likely to be rather noticeable side effects (depression, extreme grogginess)?
My mom (60) was diagnosed with GBM in 2004, but has made a full recovery since then. The last few MRIs highlighted potential pathological lesions in the right temporal/paraventricular area of her brain. Dr. Eller at North Shore University Hospital in Evanson, IL performed a biopsy on March 15, 2011. Since then, my mom is having tremendous difficulties recovering. She looks like a zombie, stares into space, does not recognize family members, rarely understands us, and only rarely is able to respond to our questions. Most of her responses, if these happen, are in the form of gestures and hand waving, sometimes she moves her lips with the correct words, sometimes with random words (like numbers) and rarely we hear a voice response. Prior to this biopsy, she was a fully functioning individual that was able to perform activities of daily life and carry a conversation (although she had some cognitive deficits like memory issues and reasoning, etc.). The doctor who had performed the biopsy thinks that perhaps my mom simply cannot recover from general anesthesia that was administered to her more than 2 weeks ago for the biopsy. I understand it is one theory but I find it extremely unlikely. The general anesthesiologist with whom I spoke yesterday also believes that this is not likely to be the case. Which still leaves us with the question - what is going on with my mom? I would like to obtain a second opinion from one of the top neurosurgery/neuro-oncology teams in the US. Can you please suggest a few doctors/teams that I can get in touch with. Also, do you know what is the procedure to go about it? I would greatly appreciate your advice.
Is left-sided weakness after Gamma Knife surgery for right frontal meningioma (2cm x1.5cm x2cm.) usually temporary or can this be permanent? No vessel or nerve involvement.
What size does a temporal meningioma have to be before surgery or radiological treatment is considered.
We are facing a gliosarcoma and have just finished phase 1 of treatment (radiation and temador) with our first follow-up MRI tomorrow. What is the latest data on how now to best proceed?
I was diagnosed with a grade III Anaplastic Astrocytoma. My neurosurgeon (who is highly respected and has many years of experience) told me that when he took it out, it looked like a low grade glioma. No big deal. It wasn't until after the results of the pathology came in that we found out I had brain cancer. Is it possible that the pathology report was wrong?
After Gamma Knife surgery on an acoustic neuroma, what are the chances of it starting to growing again?
I have been getting numerous symptoms, frequent headaches, dizziness, double vision and, on 2-3 occasions, odd smells and voices. This has been worse in the last 6 months. One episode of temporary partial loss of vision in one eye for around 5 seconds - also last year. I did have a brain scan last year but what I would like to be advised about is what are the chances that a tumor, for example, in the brain, has been missed?
I HAVE A TUMOR IN THE BRAIN STEM OF 3CM IN ITS AXES CAUSED BY HISTOSYTOSIS. IS IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE IT BY GAMMA KNIFE? PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR ADVICE BECAUSE MY MEDICAL CONDITION IS GETTING WORSE.
can low platelets (ITP) be associated to brain tumors? I have chronic ITP with a diagnoses of Multiple Myeloma. It is not cclear if the ITP is connected to the myeloma. Nothing (treatments) has affected the loww platelets and all my doctors are stumped as to why nothing brings the platelets up above the 30 to 40 ranges. I have had so many different treatments for the ITP but nothing works. I am undergoing Velcade and Dexamethozone treatments once a week as of three weeks ago and will continue up to four months of such. So far the platelets have dropped to 16 and gone up to 46. The platelets have bounced up and down and have not stayed at above the 40 mark. Three days ago they were 46 and today 23. I have the treatment on Fridays. I saw something on brain tumors and low platelets and would like to know if this could be something to check into. Thank you
After my diagnosis a year ago of a large grade II mixed glioma, I was told by an oncologist (who has worked with brain cancer patients) that it was a question of "when", and not "if", the tumor progresses to a higher grade. In other words, that progression is inevitable. However, when I later met with a neuro-oncologist and asked him about this, he said there was no evidence/ basis for this point of view. Was the neuro-oncologist simply trying to keep me optimistic? How likely is it that my glioma will not actually progress to a higher grade? Is there any documentation of a person diagnosed with a grade II glioma living until a much older age with no progression ever occuring in the glioma? By the way, the NO recommended I go on Temodar sooner rather than later, in spite of his saying there is no basis for the "when, not if", point of view. I trust the NO, because after all he is a neuro-oncologist, but from my internet reading, it seems as though progression is indeed inevitable. I would greatly appreciate your take on this.
Is an arachnoid cyst 4.25 cm x 1.7 cm in the left middle cranial fossa with a mass effect on the temporal lobe concerning?
My boyfriend had a CT of his brain after a motorcycle accident and was told he had a 5 mm tumor. He said a few years ago a doctor had mentioned it and noone gave it another thought or any further testing. Since then (over 1 year), he has been extremely depressed, isolated, lethargic, fatigued, highly irritable, with memory loss and an inability to concentrate, and often has speech difficulty (not being able to think of a word he wants to say or speaking quickly and slurring), and repeats himself very often (like you would see in dementia patients). He is 53. My question is: would a mass of this size cause these things and, in fact, be an organic problem, rather than a depression, bipolar or other psychiatric problem? He has been to psych doctors and has tried several different medications that have not been effective. He never mentioned the tumor to the doctor because he felt noone else at the hospital had seemed worried about it. I would understand if his symptoms are indicative of major depression or bipolar disease, but was wondering if the presence of this tumor makes a difference. Am I reaching for straws or can there be organic reasons such as thyroid level, testosterone level, or brain tumor side effects? He was never given any blood work or testing before being started on medication.

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