Brain Tumor...if anyone can translate this for me, I am impatient waiting for appt with a neurologist...?

Question

And I have medicaid so I may have to travel pretty far to see one. So if anyone out there has any experience with neurology and or oncology, your opinion would be appreciated: This study was performed with T1 sagittals, FLAIR coronals, T2 axials, T1 axials and post enhanced sagittals, axials and coronals. WIthin the medial aspect of the right temporal lobe is a soft tissue mass. This has isointense to slightly decreased signal intensity to brain on T1 weighted imaging, mixed increased-markedly increased signal intensity on T2 weighted imaging, and mainly peripheral enhancement, but an area of solid enhancement posteriorly. This lesion measures from 4 cm from anterior-posterior x 2 cm from superior-inferior x approx. 2.5 cm from medial-lateral. This mass abuts the right internal carotid artery/cavernous sinus, as well as the inferior medial aspect of the temporal fossa. Its solid and cystic component would suggest a cystic astrocytoma. No evidence of aneurism. Othr benign/malignant.....

. (continued)..would not be excluded. I am a 29 yr old white female. I went in for this MRI on Thursday following an eye appt for problems with my vision and headache i have had for about a yr on a consistent basis. this kind of blows me away. and being on medicaid i figure i am pretty much screwed. i have a disabled husband and 3 young children. what do i do now, and what happens next? being one of many under or non insured americans, the situation feels pretty dour. pls help

ps...my current physician is a pulmonologist and only told me i have a tumor. he refused to answer any questions as it is not his field of esxpertise, not to mention being on medicaid. he is really wanting to pass the buck on answering anything i want to know. I got this report by going to the place that did the MRI, as he would not give me a copy at the office. Now Im twiddling my thumbs waiting for them to find a neurosurgeon that will accept my medicaid. I live in Oklahoma. go figure.

based on its location, does it seem that it would be difficult to have it removed? I have been told that radiation to hopefully shrink it away a little from the internal carotid artery may be necessary as neurosurgeons really prefer to not opperate that close to a major artery if they can shrink it first, as it may prove to be of greater risk than benefit. Is this correct?
Really, no sugar coating...based on the info here am I screwed or not? Should I work on a will now or what?

Answer 1

Wow, I'm sorry to hear you are having this problem, especially about not having insurance. Are there any large teaching hospitals in your area? This would be your best bet as they have the best equipment and the most up to date knowledge. You do have medicaid and that is a plus.

I can understand a pulmonologist not wanting to give inaccurate information to you. He is a lung specialist. A neurosurgeon is the brain specialist and is the one to ask. Without a biopsy there is no real way to tell if the tumor is benign or malignant unless there were earlier MRI's to compare growth with.

At any rate, I wouldn't sit around waiting. Time is of the essence here and you need to start seriously looking for a surgeon and an oncologist. I agree that they would rather wait to shrink a tumor away from a major artery before doing the surgery, but that needs to be done now ASAP.

Don't make your funeral arrangements just yet. You need to find a doctor and quickly. The longer you wait the more damage the tumor will cause, especially if it is growing. You need to stop it now. I wish I could be of more help, but that MRI report was really deep in medical terminology that is brain specific and I'm a cardiac nurse. I will keep you in my prayers.

Answer 2

your MRI report basically says you have a cystic astrocytoma 4x2x2.5 in your right temporal lobe near your right carotid artery. No doctor can tell you for sure what grade tumour it is without biopsy results but most can make a very educated guess from their experience. I would recommend you do several things asap
1. Locate a neurosurgeon who specialises in tumours - oddly enough - most don't and the difference from one to another is incredible. Dr Henry Friedman is one I've heard a lot about - he will give you advice over the phone for free. Do a search on the net for astrocytomas - learn as much as you can about it - you'll need that knowledge, believe me! Check out Al Musella's www.virtualtrials.com
Send an email to [e-mail] with subscribe in the subject line - this is an international brain tumour support list - it is incredibly helpful.
I'm so sorry to hear you've begun this journey, but I also know the seriousness you take it with now can set the course for you - a badly informed neurosurgeon will say Inoperable to something an expert can remove with ease - search for the experts! Don't let your lack of medical insurance stop you from finding out what's available. A lot of these doctors will work with you.
Best of luck!

Answer 3

I've had an anaplastic astrocytoma( a mailignant form of brain tumor) for 5 years,

been through 3 surgerys, 3 differen chemos , 2 forms of radiation,2 antangigenisis drugs, take anti seizure meds twice a day , I'now 34,
last surgey was april 16, 2006 and on a treatment, I'm doing fine, you would never know it if you met me.

Follow up MRI due int wo weeks, wish me well.

I had to speak with 8 "renowned" brain surgeon s before I found one (Dr. Kelly, at NYU, takes cash only,sorry) that would operate, but since mine is malignant, it came back, twice . Anyways, not a huge expert at Radiology nomenclature, but after this long if you want to talk feel free, [e-mail]

sorry bout the insurance, my companies must have paiad out over half a mil for this and my seizures for the past half decade

Answer 4

I am going through the same thing, same MRI but somewhat different. I have a lesion inbedded in my left frontal lobe (2.5 cm x .0125cm of the brain and it causes me to have headaches. Until you see a Neuro Surgeon, then you should relax a bit. They will not jump on the fact of having surgery until they way some options for you. If it is benign then there may be no surgery, possibly chemo or rad treatment. Just wait to see a Neuro Surgeon!!! Other docs won't tell you anything.

Answer 5

Thomas Jefferson University hospital in Philadelphia, PA has one of the best neurosurgery centers in the country. I'd recommend you make an appointment and see them. 215-955-6000. They take every type of insurance. And how weren't you admitted to a hospital after this new finding? Usually when a brain tumor shows up on an MRI, the radiology will have you admitted to a hospital so that they can perform a biopsy of the mass.

Answer 6

I have already given birth - I did get impatient towards the end I got to the point where I needed to give birth as I was soooooo uncomfortable and also I'm a very impatient person so really wanted to meet my son!! SO ur not alone!! I was lucky I gave birth on the Due date I don't know what I would have done if he'd gone over!! GOod luck xx

Answer 7

Did anyone explain this to you at all? I hope that you have a doctor who you can contact to translate these things for you. It looks like it basically says (though I am not a radiologist) that there is a mass which is 4cmx2cmx2.5cm on your MRI. It is likely an astrocytoma which is a specific (and often very treatable) type of brain tumor. You need to be seen by a doctor.

Answer 8

at that level it is still operable. but without seeing the actual MRI, PET scan or SPECT scan I can not give an honest opinion of medical evaluation.

Answer 9

maybe you can post this on healthboards.com

good luck.