Re: Brain Tumor

Posted By CCF Neurology MD:NT on September 06, 1998 at 00:39:25:

In Reply to: Brain Tumor posted by Deb on September 04, 1998 at 21:39:01:






My 47 year old sister has been having facial pain, near her teeth. They discovered, via CT scan with dye, a mylenoma tumor. Are they usually cancerous or removeable by surgery or laser? Can it cause more side effects, like fainting or whatever? She had a tumor removed from the tibia about 2 years ago, they thought it was cancer, but determined it to be pre-cancerous. Thanks, it is such a worry.




Dear Deb:
If your sister really has a MELANOMA in the BRAIN, and it was removed from the SKIN of the leg 2 years earlier, I am afraid to say that she has a rather poor prognosis for survival. This is a highly malignant tumor which has only transient or modest responses to any form of treatment.
In contrast, if she has a MYELOMA in the SKULL BONE, the pronosis is much better. This tumor responds favorably to chemotherapy and also radiation, and she may do well for several years, or may even be cured.
I know this does not help. You need to speak to her oncologist and learn about what exact tumor she has, and also about plans for treatment and prognosis.