Meningioma or metastases?
I was diagnosed 16 years ago, and had kind of put the fear of recurrence behind me. I recently had a bad sinus infection and started having intermittent episodes of double vision. After rounds of antibiotics and steroids, they have gotten better (fewer and not lasting as long) but my PCP had me go for an MRI to rule out any other reason. The MRI found an 8mm meningioma. I still wasn't too concerned because it said "likely benign" but I've read that metastases can be mistaken for a meningioma. Anybody ever had an experience with a meningioma? Thanks in advance!
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our 41 year old daughter ( no cancer ) just had surgery for a meningioma (tumor in the membrane surrounding the brain) Wednesday last week. If you’re in the Panhandle of FL, there’s an awesome female neurosurgeon (Dr Toledo) who even wrote about this type of procedure 25 years ago. Our daughter’s was behind her left eye, migraines, losing vision, her left eye actually protruding out of eye socket due to size of tumor (I don’t know actual size). We got her home on Saturday (two nights in ICU, one night in regular room).
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Thank you for commenting. Glad your daughter found such a knowledgeable and experienced doctor. Wishing her all the best in her recovery.
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Jacksnana, its been several months since you posted and wishing you all the best and that your concerns about your meningioma have eased. 18 years after my breast cancer lumpectomy I had a minor stroke. The related MRI test revealed a golf ball sized meningioma (42+ mm) which was removed after six months of testing related to the TIA. My symptoms prior to its discovery were unremarkable and thanks to a favorable location and fantastic neurosurgeon, recovery from my craniotomy went well. I do want to note that if your doctors have recommended observation because of the modest size of your meningioma that is a legitimate course of action. They grow slowly. After I shared my diagnosis one of my friends revealed that she too had a meningioma removed. It was a very small one, perhaps similar sized to yours. Her options were observation or surgery. She elected surgery where she experienced a side effect that damaged control of one of her legs. Edited to add: She was relived to learn of the size of my meningioma since she wished she had taken the observation option.
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Owlengager, thanks for sharing your experience and also that of your friend. I'm going tomorrow to my PCP to get a referral to a neurologist. I'm happy to just do 'watchful waiting' but I'm still having episodes of double vision which are pretty scary. So I think once I can get in to see a neurologist they can help figure out what's going on with my vision. I actually just posted this the day before your comment so I'm still in the early stages. Thanks so much for responding to my post! Veda
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Jacksana, my neurosurgeon's first step includes adding a neurologist as a critical member of his team. Good luck with getting that referral quickly approved. Likely you've already consulted with your ophthalmologist. My regular eye doctor is part a larger practice that includes one who is the lead eye doctor at one of the larger hospitals in my area. The location of my meningioma was too close to my eye in my opinion (having had eye issues since a child) so Independently I sought his review of my risks prior to surgery. His interest and very comprehensive exam before he gave the ok was so reassuring.
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