MS or spine cord tumor?

[agi1804]

Hi!
My husband started having numbness in his left arm and hand in the end of December. A few weeks later he developed numbness in his chest and foot (left side). He got the MRI without contrast that revealed a mass 8.4 mm in his cervical spine. He was told it's either MS or tumor. He got the MRI with contrast ordered. He's devastated.
He's 32. His symptoms seem to disappear (only arm is still numb).
Do we really have only these 2 options??? Both of them seem to be horrible... what about syringomyelia or neurosarcoidosis? if it's tumor is it possible for it to be benign?

[HVAC]

I second talking to the doctor. If it is MS it is not the end of the world. There are treatments for MS. If it is a tumor than they have come a long way with surgery.

People are not statistics. Everyone comes out differently from surgery. Every case of MS is different.

I have had MS for 50 years. I got it as a toddler. I also have Ovarian Cancer for 3. When I used to read up on MS and ovarian cancer I scared myself.

I have already lived past the life expectancy of my cancer. I am happier than I ever have been. I live an active life. I train dogs and ride horses and work in the garden.

What ever it turns out to be take it one step at a time and do not project the worst scenario. My motto is I do not give up hope until the doctors tell me to give up hope.

You find the best doctor you can for whatever condition.

Alex

[essdipity]

Hi there. I think you'll need to discuss this situation thoroughly with your husband's doctor. No one here can know why those 2 causes were suggested.

I have never heard an MS lesion referred to as a 'mass,' as that terminology is not used in this disease. Then again, if it is a tumor, why are the symptoms abating? If cancer is present, there should be signs in blood analysis, which I hope has been thorough.

Perhaps your husband has not been seen by a neurologist, let alone one specializing in MS, and perhaps the MS protocol was not used for the MRI. Another perhaps is that the radiologist is not particularly skilled or experienced.

I'm sure there are other scenarios as well, but keep in mind that we are just patients here, and you need guidance from a medical expert.

ess