Re: brain tumor?

Posted By CCF Neuro MD MJD on September 20, 1998 at 21:58:11:

In Reply to: brain tumor? posted by Cindy on September 20, 1998 at 20:35:30:






My father has been diagnosed with a terminal tumor in his lungs.  He has been receiving chemotherapy every 3 weeks since June.  He has recently been complaining of headaches which start at the back of his skull and sometimes move to the front.  He has told the doctor about this and an MRI is scheduled for Friday.  The doctor is very concerned that the cancer from my dad's lungs has spread even with the chemo.  The diagnosis on the lung cancer is poorly differentiated small cell lung cancer which we've read is less likely to spread.  What are the possible reasons other than the lung cancer spreading to account for the headaches?  Thanks.  Cindy



_______
Cindy,
Certainly, there are many reasons why your father could have headaches - perhaps he has always had headaches and now they are under more scrutiny (though given your E-mail this does not seem to be the case).  Medications including Chemotherapeutics may cause headaches in some people.  However,  any time an older individual develops new onset, constant and increasing headaches, one always has to consider the possibility of a tumor.  Add the fact that your father has lung cancer which can spread to the brain, your doctor is right to be evaluating for this.  This is not to say that he has a metastasis to his brain, but he should be evaluated.  If the MRI is negative, it will place everyone at ease.  But he should get checked.  Good luck.