brother has brain tumour

Matt · New User Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

my 22year old brother recently had a brain tumour removed it was a grade 2 tumour about 6month ago. He treaments after and goes for MRI scans every 2month. However they dont reali tell wht these have shown. Is this usual practice. Thanks for any help

plugh · Regular Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 28

I'm sorry to hear about your brothers condition. I too had a grade 2 Oligdendroglioma removed 9 months ago. MRIs every 3 months and only medication now is anti-seizure meds (Keppra). When I have my MRI I immediately see the Neuro-oncologist right afterwards. He doesn't have the written report but, so far, thank goodness, has been able to tell me that there has been no change since the prior MRI. He can also show me the slides. Your brother should be getting a report on the MRI of some kind, possibly not the same day but within 2-3 days I would think. I would have thought that not being told anything is not right but could also be interepreted as good news - you can be certain they would contact your brother right away if there was any new growth. Was his resection a total resection? Mine was 90%.

brainman · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:36 am Post subject: Re: brother has brain tumour

Hi Matt. I am very sorry about your brother's brain cancer.

Unfortunately, some doctors are not very forthcoming with information and need to be specifically asked about the results. Some of us go so far as to ask for a copy of the report. I go even further and ask for a copy of the "films" (actually, images in a CD now).

The rest of your brother's experience sound quite normal. They might extend the time between MRIs but that really depends on what they see from one MRI to the next.

Your brother is in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

momaton · Regular Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 14 Location: central fl

deareast Matt,
so sorry about your brother.
advice:

1. ask for the exact name of the tumor diagnosis
2.do your research ...on the web as much as you can find
3. wright down any and all questions you have...ie; diagnosis, treatment, any and all clinicial trials....everything you can think of

trust me you have to ask and then ask some more.

my experience with doctors with my husbands brain cancer is that they want you to be hopeful (all fine and good) but they dont tell you everything. That is fine, some people dont want to know....but if you want the details...research, get the cd's of your brothers scans and ask questions.
That is what i do....
good luck and hugs, Eve
_________________
"Human beings are always trying to fix things. Our hardest lesson is seeing perfection in the imperfect world."

from a little Zen book that I own.

artaran · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:27 am Post subject: Re: brother has brain tumour

Dear Matt,

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.

My son was diagnoses with a Grade 3 astrocytoma last year. The good news is that a young person with a grade 2 can have a fairly long prognosis in comparison to older people with higher grades. And doctors are seeking new treatments all the time.

If you brother would like to talk with my son, let me know. We've been studying this extensively.

It helps to write down a list of questions before you see the doctor. Many times once you get to the office you forget what you were going to ask.

Arleen

petrit · Regular Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 33

Dear Arleen
My father too is diagnosed last year with astrocytoma 3 he had operation , done radiation and he is still on chemo for months .
How is your son doing , where is his tumor located

many thanks

petrit

Matt · New User Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Many thanks for your advice

cancer.

Unfortunately, some doctors are not very forthcoming with information and need to be specifically asked about the results. Some of us go so far as to ask for a copy of the report. I go even further and ask for a copy of the "films" (actually, images in a CD now).

The rest of your brother's experience sound quite normal. They might extend the time between MRIs but that really depends on what they see from one MRI to the next.

Your brother is in my thoughts and prayers.[/quote]

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