Methods/procedures used to remove optic gliomas and/or meningiomas

Posted By Michael on October 23, 1998 at 04:43:11:







Hello everyone. My question(s) actually have to do more with recovery after a removal of a optic Glioma. Six years ago I had what was first thought to be a optic glioma removed from my right orbital cavity. 6 months previously, at the age of 20, I was diagnosed with NF-1
. It turns out that the tumor ended up being a non-malignant menigioma, not a optic glioma as previously thought based on the MRI pictures. Before surgery, the right eye had severe proptosis, but no physical pain was felt (except when struck by the occiasonal errant basketball).
My neurosurgeon removed most of the tumor. He said because of the diffuse nature of the tumor (it was confined to the orbit)he could not possibly remove all of the affected tissue. My problem is this. The tumor is back, it has being growing steadily since the operation. Is it common for this type of tumor to recurr like this?.
If so, what is the point of removal?. Is It possible for the tumor to change from a non-malignant to a malignant form?.
The proptosis has returned to almost the same level it was before the operation. We have been monitoring it with mri scans every year, and he has suggested another surgery.
Problem is, I do not want to have to go through everything over again. After the first surgery, I was left with a huge scare from the craniotomy, plus left without feeling in the affected area
as well as loss of use of my right eyelid. Is there a different (read less invasive) procedure available to me?. As a side note, is there any chance of me regaining use of my eyelid? (is loss of eyelid function common?)
Any help/suggestions/refferals/etc would be greatly appreciated.