Brain / CNS Tumors Support Group

hi, i was diagnosed with a meningioma tumour in sept 2005, and then it grew back in oct 2007, its left me disabled but i have a loving family,i have to have mri scans every 6 mths. theres no garentee it wont grow again. but every day at a time.i will look out for you to see how you are doing. god bless. slr49.

Aloha! I survived surgery to remove a meningioma tumor about 5 years ago. From what I researched about meningioma after I recovered from surgery, I found that it is one of the more common brain tumors. My tumor was in my left frontal lobe, it was about 3 cm in diamiter. I it was pressing on the part of the brain that causes multipersonalities. In my situation the doctors recommended that I have emergency surgery to remove the tumor, since I had a grand mal seizure. I also had radiation in that area. Since then, its been kind of hard for me. However, every situation is different. I have been experiencing a lot of migraine headaches, ringing in my ears, dizziness, and short term memory loss. Does anyone else have the same post-op symptoms? So far I have not found any support groups here in Hawaii. I found this website and joined. I hope to get responses here to help me to deal with this situation. Mahalo!

I have something VERY, VERY similar---I have a CCA (a Cerebral Cavernous Angioma). So, yours is on the outer area of the brain, my is deeper in the brain. Mine exact tumors are actually very very deep in my brain, bleed often, inoperable, and there is really NOT much they can do for them. As for your type.....there is an actual support site for Menegiomas.....I found it by doing a search on Yahoo.....so look there and see if you can fin it here. there are new treatments every day. Hang in there honey.......YOU can live with these, and with meningiomas, they can usually be operated on. Look for the main support site. GOOD LUCK. HUGS, M-

I do. I have had this brain tumor since 1978. I was just a senior in high school then. Since then I have undergone two invasive surgeries, Gamma Knife, and have been on a chemotherapy drug since November 1998. This tumor may or may not pose a huge risk. Any tumor is dangerous, of course. But if the Meningioma is not cancerous, then you're in good shape. But you have to understand that this type of tumor is like a weed. It likes to grow back. Leave it alone and do nothing and you will eventually see problems, some of which cannot be reversed. So taking the tumor now is a good idea unless doctors recommend watching for a while, but they will recommend doing nothing ONLY if the tumor poses no threat. Depending on the location of the tumor, its size, and how long it's been there, surgery is potentially a relatively small issue. There is always risks involved with surgery. But the better the doctor the better your outcome. The difference in my doctors between the first and second surgeries is phenomenal. I would not let anyone in my head that is not one of the best neurosurgeons in one of the best neurological hospitals in this country. I went to Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. My surgeon was Dr. James McVicker and my Neuro-oncologist is Dr. Edward Aeronsen. Google him and look his approach. It will give you a good understanding of what to expect and what the possibilities are.