RCC Brain Mets - Numbness

[Subob]

2 Inoperable RCC brain tumors 7mm & 11mm to pons area/brain stem were treated with CyberKnife on 9/25 and 10/2/07.  No real problems, Last MRI done 12/27/07 tumors appeared to be larger, 13mm & 10mm,  some subsequent edema/dizziness took additional steroids, stopped > 3 weeks ago.   CONCERN Numbness to right side of head/face/neck right forearm/hand & right ankle/foot has occurred within last week. Called the doc  this week and they said to just take it easy.  Due to get MRI end of Feb 08.   Need to understand if this is to be expected as a result of nerves being radiated/damaged or is this symptoms of possible stroke/bleeding??   We are now going into 2nd week of numbness.  Should we get tests to determine cause?

[sandman1]

I have had lung mets since 05. 3 had grown to 2.5 cm. lit up on pet scan also. took zeolite and RM10 for  3 mouths, shrank to 1 cm and did not show up on pet scan any more. Had RFA done on what DR Banker at usm called dead tumors in jan

[Subob]

Thank you for answering.  Based upon symptoms not getting worse we will most likely wait, just needed to hear this from someone else.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  The numbness on the right side may be due to any of the following: 1) effect of the treatment (edema of the tumor after Cyberknife treatment falls under this category);  2) effect of the tumor itself because of subsequent enlargement; 3) another ongoing neurologic problem (e.g. stroke, but this possibility is less likely).  A repeat MRI should help differentiate what the problem is.  If the symptoms of numbness are stable and do not progress further, then you may opt to wait until the end of February to have that MRI done.  But if symptoms are progressively becoming more severe, particularly if weakness of the arms or legs develop, then the MRI should be done sooner.