Re; Effects of inoperal remaining portion of tumor after sugury

[Carie__0__0]

Posted by Carrie on May 11, 1999 at 10:24:40
A little over two years ago I was diagnosed with what my neurologist called, "the high end of a lowgrade oliodendroglioma/astrocytoma" brain tumor.  I had surgury and a large portion of the tumor was removed. Since the tumor is star-shaped the entire tumor could not be removed.  The tumor is located in my right frontal lobe area.  At that time I was counceled not to continue any treatment with radiation or chemotherapy.  Since my type of tumor is mixed, and I think no one is really sure of the exact "grade", I was counceled to get MRI's every 4-6 months.  According to my doctors there has beeen no growth of the tumor, but a cyst has formed in the center where the removed portion once was. I am being traeted with neurontin and tegrotol to controll my seizures, wich I still have weekly.  I have become concerned recently regarding whether some recent occurances could be connected to the remaining portion of my tumor.  I would be very happy to haer your opinion.  Recently at I found myself at work having a very strong seizure wich caused me to have extreme weakness on my left side, and slurred speach. I also found myself drooling.  I have never found myself drooling before.  I didnt' even realize this until I noticed a large wet spot on my shirtcuff.  My second area of concern involves my recent mental state.  In the recent weeks I have found myself falling into a very deep depression.  I have never felt this way before.  I have been through alot in my life, and considering, life is actually quite good for me right now.  Regardless, I find myself extremely unhappy and somewhat suicidal.  It is not like me at all, and I wonder if the remaining portion of my tumor could be doing anything to effect my current metal state.  I know that where it is positioned it is in my left motor area, speach, thought process, emotion and feeling area.  Could it be possible that it would effect my mental state in such a way to cause depression??  I am very concerned I would value anything you could comment on how the remaining portion of my tumor could effect me, and do these symptoms signify some sort of mestesis??  
Thankyou for your time,
Carrie.

Posted by CCF MD GS on May 12, 1999 at 09:30:05
Thanks for the question Carrie. Sorry to hear about your recent problems. As you know tumor grading is very important in helping make decisions regarding treatment of tumors. Therre is still debate about the best treatment for low garde tumors but a recent study has opened that randomizes patients under 40 years of age and gross total resection to wait and watch (what you are currently doing) and those over 40 with biopsy or subtotal resection to either radiation or radiation followed by chemo. You are not a candidate for this specific study but you could still have either of the treatments. What I'm trying to tell you is that we are trying to answer some questions about your type of tumpor and that is why this study is being done. It is impossible to say what is best for you currently without seeing you and your scans. I'm always concerned when patients start having inreasing neurologic symptoms and I think looking again at your traetment options would be a good idea. It may be that you are having increased seizures because of an expanding cyst cavity. The options of reoperation, radiation and chemo should be revisited. In terms of the depression that could be related to a frontal lobe tumor and you should speak to your doctor about this since there are medications that could be of some benefit. When these tumors come back the majority return within 2 cm of the initial resection site. We do not think of these tumors as metastatic per se.I hope this helps and we would be happy to see you for a second opinion.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.