HELP! I need info and hopefully reassurance.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
This week my mother went to an eye doctor who noticed a twitching in her
left eye. The twitching has been an on/off problem since ’91 but has not
been severe. He recommended she see a neurologist and get an MRI. The MRI
showed 2 tumors. One the size of a quarter in the left frontal region and
one the size of a marble in the region directly in from the right ear.
After seeing the MRI she told the doctor that she has also been noticing
hearing problems in the right ear in the last year or so.
I have not seen the scans but my mother, 71 yrs old, retired nurse, said
that the tumors were quite smooth, spherical and localized. She is seeing
an ear doctor today.
Other symptoms in retrospect include occasional loss of short-term memory.
(ie. made dinner and then forgot whether she had or not.)
She is 71. Perhaps only 10-15 pounds overweight. Very active and healthy in
all other respects.
Questions?
———-
I assume the smooth nature of the tumors is promising in regard to being
benign or malignant. Is this true?
If benign, what is the likelihood that the tumours will require removal
anyway?
What are the major risks of such an operation?
If malignant, what is the general course of action, time and
procedure-wise?
What are the success rates, in general, for both benign and malignant brain
tumour extraction?
What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that
all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
—————
I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have the
most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
directly at;
toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
Roger Toennis
HELP! I need info and hopefully reassurance.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
This week my mother went to an eye doctor who noticed a twitching in her
left eye. The twitching has been an on/off problem since ’91 but has not
been severe. He recommended she see a neurologist and get an MRI. The MRI
showed 2 tumors. One the size of a quarter in the left frontal region and
one the size of a marble in the region directly in from the right ear.
After seeing the MRI she told the doctor that she has also been noticing
hearing problems in the right ear in the last year or so.
I have not seen the scans but my mother, 71 yrs old, retired nurse, said
that the tumors were quite smooth, spherical and localized. She is seeing
an ear doctor today.
Other symptoms in retrospect include occasional loss of short-term memory.
(ie. made dinner and then forgot whether she had or not.)
She is 71. Perhaps only 10-15 pounds overweight. Very active and healthy in
all other respects.
Questions?
———-
I assume the smooth nature of the tumors is promising in regard to being
benign or malignant. Is this true?
If benign, what is the likelihood that the tumours will require removal
anyway?
What are the major risks of such an operation?
If malignant, what is the general course of action, time and
procedure-wise?
What are the success rates, in general, for both benign and malignant brain
tumour extraction?
What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that
all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
—————
I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have the
most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
directly at;
toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
Roger Toennis
In <1995Aug2.201806.6…@den.mmc.com> "Roger T." <toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com> writes:
[2 brain tumors in a 71 year old woman]
>What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that
>all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
The big question is, how will the operation improve or damage her quality
of life. My 78 year old grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
At the time, I thought that aggressive treatment was unwarranted, given
that it would mess up her life, she was old, and should just enjoy life
as much as possible. She had surgery to remove her ovaries, then a
follow-up surgery to correct abdominal complications, then aggressive
chemotherapy. The day after chemo ended, she died in her sleep.
Her last three months she was not the same person she had been. She
had been alert, spry, active; she became listless, tired.
Your Mom should be informed on both the benefits and costs of aggressive
treatment verses doing nothing. If these are slow growing tumors, or
in difficult locations; would require surgery and chemo, then perhaps
she would prefer to have 2 more good years rather than 4 poor years
bought at a cost of chemo, surgery, and radiation. On the other hand,
if the tumors are accessible, easy to remove, then maybe she wants to
go for it.
>Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
>recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
Impossible to say without more information. In general, malignant
tumors grow back quickly if even a few cells are left behind. Since
it is very difficult to get all of a brain tumor (the surgeon must
be very conservative in removing tissue) if the biopsy is malignant
then you can expect chemo or radiation after the surgery. Benign
tumor usually won’t grow back.
>Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
>Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
>—————
>I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
>to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have the
>most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
>Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
>PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
>directly at;
> toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
>Roger Toennis
–
Tom Thatcher | You can give a PC to a Homo habilis,
University of Rochester Cancer Center | and he’ll use it, but he’ll use it
t…@uhura.cc.rochester.edu | to crack nuts.
I cannot answer any specific questions but I can offer this: Hope a
nd a positive outlook on your mothers part is worth more than
anything else. My mother survived with cancer for nine years on hope
and prayer. My thoughts are with you.\
Roselle
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
"Roger T." <toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com> wrote:
>HELP! I need info and hopefully reassurance.
>Thanks in advance for any responses.
>This week my mother went to an eye doctor who noticed a twitching in her
>left eye. The twitching has been an on/off problem since ’91 but has not
>been severe. He recommended she see a neurologist and get an MRI. The MRI
>showed 2 tumors. One the size of a quarter in the left frontal region and
>one the size of a marble in the region directly in from the right ear.
>After seeing the MRI she told the doctor that she has also been noticing
>hearing problems in the right ear in the last year or so.
>I have not seen the scans but my mother, 71 yrs old, retired nurse, said
>that the tumors were quite smooth, spherical and localized. She is seeing
>an ear doctor today.
>Other symptoms in retrospect include occasional loss of short-term memory.
>(ie. made dinner and then forgot whether she had or not.)
>She is 71. Perhaps only 10-15 pounds overweight. Very active and healthy in
>all other respects.
>Questions?
>———-
>I assume the smooth nature of the tumors is promising in regard to being
>benign or malignant. Is this true?
>If benign, what is the likelihood that the tumours will require removal
>anyway?
>What are the major risks of such an operation?
>If malignant, what is the general course of action, time and
>procedure-wise?
>What are the success rates, in general, for both benign and malignant brain
>tumour extraction?
>What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that
>all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
>Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
>recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
>Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
>Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
>—————
>I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
>to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have the
>most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
>Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
>PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
>directly at;
> toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
>Roger Toennis
If you have a Web Browser (Mosaic, Netscape etc) point it
at : http://oncolink.upenn.edu/disease/brain/abta/
Very useful info on brain tumors.
**********************************
David Armstrong
Data Capture Analyst
Oryx Energy Company
PO Box 2880
Dallas, TX 75221-2880
Internet: david.armstr…@oryx.com
**********************************
In article <40aggg$…@blackice.winternet.com>, ath…@winternet.com ()
writes:
|> I cannot answer any specific questions but I can offer this: Hope a
|> nd a positive outlook on your mothers part is worth more than
|> anything else. My mother survived with cancer for nine years on hope
|> and prayer. My thoughts are with you.\
|> Roselle
|> "Roger T." <toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com> wrote:
|>
|>
|> >HELP! I need info and hopefully reassurance.
|> >Thanks in advance for any responses.
|>
|> >This week my mother went to an eye doctor who noticed a twitching in her
|> >left eye. The twitching has been an on/off problem since ’91 but has not
|> >been severe. He recommended she see a neurologist and get an MRI. The MRI
|> |> >showed 2 tumors. One the size of a quarter in the left frontal region
|> and
|> >one the size of a marble in the region directly in from the right ear.
|> >After seeing the MRI she told the doctor that she has also been noticing
|> >hearing problems in the right ear in the last year or so.
|>
|> >I have not seen the scans but my mother, 71 yrs old, retired nurse, said
|> >that the tumors were quite smooth, spherical and localized. She is seeing
|> |> >an ear doctor today.
|>
|> >Other symptoms in retrospect include occasional loss of short-term memory.
|> |> >(ie. made dinner and then forgot whether she had or not.)
|>
|> >She is 71. Perhaps only 10-15 pounds overweight. Very active and healthy
|> in
|> >all other respects.
|>
|> >Questions?
|> >———-
|>
|> >I assume the smooth nature of the tumors is promising in regard to being
|> >benign or malignant. Is this true?
|>
|> >If benign, what is the likelihood that the tumours will require removal
|> >anyway?
|>
|> >What are the major risks of such an operation?
|>
|> >If malignant, what is the general course of action, time and
|> >procedure-wise?
|>
|> >What are the success rates, in general, for both benign and malignant
|> brain
|> >tumour extraction?
|>
|> >What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure
|> that
|> >all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
|>
|> >Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
|> >recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
|>
|> >Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
|> >Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
|> >—————
|>
|> >I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
|> |> >to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have
|> the
|> >most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
|>
|> >Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
|>
|> >PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
|> >directly at;
|> > toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
|>
|> >Roger Toennis
|> >
|>
|>
|>
|>
In article <1995Aug2.201806.6…@den.mmc.com>, "Roger T." <toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com> says:
>HELP! I need info and hopefully reassurance.
>Thanks in advance for any responses.
First of all, extremely sorry to hear of your mother’s plight. It must be quite a strain
on you and your family. HAve strength, your mother needs you!
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>This week my mother went to an eye doctor who noticed a twitching in her
>left eye. The twitching has been an on/off problem since ’91 but has not
>been severe. He recommended she see a neurologist and get an MRI. The MRI
>showed 2 tumors. One the size of a quarter in the left frontal region and
>one the size of a marble in the region directly in from the right ear.
>After seeing the MRI she told the doctor that she has also been noticing
>hearing problems in the right ear in the last year or so.
>I have not seen the scans but my mother, 71 yrs old, retired nurse, said
>that the tumors were quite smooth, spherical and localized. She is seeing
>an ear doctor today.
>Other symptoms in retrospect include occasional loss of short-term memory.
>(ie. made dinner and then forgot whether she had or not.)
>She is 71. Perhaps only 10-15 pounds overweight. Very active and healthy in
>all other respects.
>Questions?
>———-
>I assume the smooth nature of the tumors is promising in regard to being
>benign or malignant. Is this true?
>If benign, what is the likelihood that the tumours will require removal
>anyway?
It may be a good idea to remove the tumours, even if benign, because they
may enlarge and impinge on other nerves which may be quite painful and/or
compromise other nervous function eg. she may lose her sight.
>What are the major risks of such an operation?
Depends on the nature of the tumour – if its malignant, they may have to
remove a margin or brain tissue surrounding the tumours which may impair
some functions eg. speech. However, she won’t be vegetative, if that’s
what you’re worried about. With the right followup therapy eg. physio/speech,
she should be OK.
However her age is also a factor, which may not support a total recovery.
The procedures (surgery, followed by radiation or chemo) will add to her life
but don’t know about the vitality of that added time.
Still, it all depends on the tumours…..
>If malignant, what is the general course of action, time and
>procedure-wise?
The docs may operate and remove and then follow up with radio/chemo therapy,
if they consider her chances of recovery to be good. If they are doubtful
of her recovery, they may ask the family if they wish to proceed……
With chemo and radiation, they may be side-eefects eg. hair loss, nausea, fatigue
>What are the success rates, in general, for both benign and malignant brain
>tumour extraction?
Depends on the tumours, their stage of development mainly, how much it’s spread
from teh site of origin. If it’s advanced, it’s not very good I’m afraid mate.
If they’ve picked it up early enough and she’s of good health then she should
be OK
>What questions need to be raised to the doctors and surgeons to ensure that
>all factors are being considered in the course of treatment?
See above:
1. How advance is the tumour?
2. Are they benign/ maslignannt?
3. Is it in an operable site?
4. What functions will be impaired with tumoutr removal?
5. Will she need rehabilitation?
6. How healthy is she REALLY to reccover well?
>Given a successful conclusion to her treatment, what are the odds of
>recurrence of both benign and malignant tumours?
Tumour is a thing you can never be sure of I’m afraid mate. Unfortunately, techniques
ofd detecting tumours don’t pick it up unitl it’s about a million cells big.
But the treatment may wipe the suckers out completely too. Here’s hoping!
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
>Can anyone give me any high reccomendations for Neurosurgeons in either
>Billings, MT(parents live) or in Denver(where I live).
>—————
>I found out about this last night and it has been quite a shock but I want
>to make sure that we ask the right questions of the doctors and have the
>most info possible when deciding on the approval of any treatments.
>Again, thanks to any who can provide information.
>PLEASE!! In addition to posting could any responders also e-mail me
>directly at;
> toen…@pogo.den.mmc.com
>Roger Toennis
All the very best of wishes and prayers Roger. I sincerely hope that your mum recovers.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Above all, get a second and third opinion. Ask lots of questions.
If the doctor is too busy to answer all your questions, either sit there
and don’t leave until you’re satisfied, or get a different doctor.
Find out how many procedures this doctor has done that are JUST LIKE
THIS ONE. Read, read, read all you can at the library…..
The region that the tumors are in is encouraging. At least they’re not
in the centre of the brain, which would involve alot of cutting
through brain tissue. Alot of how well the outcome is will depend on
your mother’s attitude, and how willingly she goes through with any
rehab. she might need later.
I had a cousin in Saskatoon several years ago who had a tumor in the
centre of the brain. She was in her thirties, but was a heavy smoker.
Her father had also had a brain tumor, which was sucessfully removed.
At first the physicians refused to remove it, as they had never done
anything that deep in the brain before. Then they decided to go for it,
as she didn’t have any chance otherwise. She did very well, you would
never know now that she had ever had a problem. Since the operation
she remarried and has had 2 children. BTW, they filmed the operation
and now use it as a training film for new surgeons.
Michelle LaBrosse-Purcell
B.Sc. (pharmacology)
–
purc…@nyquist.ee.ualberta.ca
University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alberta.
The American Brain Tumor Association has FREE information available on the
Internet as well as through snail mail.
For printed materials, contact us at
800-886-2282
or
708-827-9910
or
A…@aol.com — provide your snail mail address & what specifically you
are looking for.
Also, visit us at
http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/ABTA/
or
http://pubweb.acns.nwu.edu?~lberko/abta_html/abta1.htm
Also visit the clinical trials listing at:
http://www.lanminds.com/local/brain/trial.html
*********************************
American Brain Tumor Association
2720 River Road Suite 146
Des Plaines, IL 60018
708-827-9910
800-886-2282<–patient line
A…@aol.com
708-827-9918<–faxline
***************************************
After reading your posting about your Mom’s two tumors in the
brain as well as her previous tumor and the familiy history of
tumors, you may want to consider asking your physicians to
rule out the possibility of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease.
VHL causes tumors to grow in various parts of the body,
notably, the brain, spinal cord, kidneys, eyes, adrenal glands
and pancreas. There is a support group for patients with VHL
or to get further information about the disease, call the VHL
Family Alliance at 1-800-767-4VHL.
If a patient knows they have VHL they can undergo routine
screening to assess the growth of any new tumors. This is
much better that waiting for symptoms to appear.