Signs of Return/Research being Done

[Kelli7]

In January of 2005, at 25 years old, I was diagnosed with a meninginoma (said to be around 2 inches in diameter) located in the left lateral ventricle of my brain.  Although it was not causing any major side effects, it was giving me terrible headaches.  My neurosurgeon recommended removal immediately and that same month I had surgery to have it removed.  The surgery was successful.  They were able to remove all of the tumor and the only thing remotely resembling a post-surgery reprocussion was a very slight amount of weakness in the right side of my body which disappeared within a couple months.   Since this time I have been very paranoid about the recurrance of the tumor.  I had a post-surgery check-up, including MRI, 3 months after surgery and then again 1 year after surgery, but none since.  I don't want to live my life wondering if every headache I have is a sign that my tumor has returned, and I definitely can't afford to have frequent MRI's.  Are there sure signs to be aware of that would indicate the return of a tumor?  

Also, I am very intrigued by what may have caused my tumor.  My neurosurgeon suggested that my tumor had most likely been growing in my brain since I was a small child, possibly since birth.  What could have possibly caused this. Also, I would definitely be interested in finding out about participating in any studies being done on Meninginomas.  Do you have any information on how I could do this?  

[GlPz]

Try Google. You'll find many professional and laymen articles.
Good luck and good health

[BDRAGN]

i had a 3 cm clivical meningomia removed in june of 08. i had 3 nerves affected from surgery and i was not able to swallow anything for 2 months, i walk like i'm drunk and still have a voice like donald duck.  don't be paranoid about the recurrance of the tumor; meningiomas generaly don't grow back if they were completly removed.
don't worry why u got it;be thankful your around today to help others.  we can drive our self mad with looking up stuff on the web!
good luck and better health

[Karen234]

You can't live in fear of menigiomas coming back.  As far as what caused them?  I've had 17 menigiomas as of now at age 43 all on the right side of my brain.  No one has given me an answer yet.  I've had 6 of them removed and one in the ventricle which they used cyberknife radiation which is very very easy with almost no symptoms afterwords.  These grow very slow, so keep that in mind.  You do not need to feel urgent about one, even if it does recur.  I would just follow up yearly, or what ever they recommend, and don't stress yourself between MRI's.  The one's I have that are remaining, some of them are definately growing. but not rapidly, and I am certainly in no hurry for anymore surgeries.  

I know I have not had mine since birth, but they are suddenly growing now.  I"ve had new ones appear on MRI's in the past couple of years.  

Log your symptoms with dates, and as much detail as you can.  Bring this with you to your neurolgist.  If your sumptoms change, call them right away, otherwise, relax.  Be thankful we don't have malignant tumors in our head.  I've signed on to be in test studies and have had DNA samples done, but no one has ever told me why I have them or continue to grow them.  It's probably the most common brain tumor, and certainly for women.  Hang in there and try to stay positive.  We're in the lucky club you and I.....Just pay attention to yourself and write down any changes.  
I wish you the best.