Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: My friend has a meningioma behind her right eye it grew from a 15 to a 18 would you consider that fast?  I am afraid she has cancer.

ANSWER: Depends on how long the time was during which this growth happened. You did not mention that. The amount of growth is 20% from the original but to determine if that is a fast growth or not the time factor must be known. To better understand the situation I would also like to know what the size of her tumor was measured in, mm? Meningiomas are usually benign but there are exceptions.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It started at 15mm in May 08 and At her visit 9-2-08 it is 18mm and not quit touching the optic nerve

Answer
Well that is not a big growth in absolute terms and a growth of 3 mm (less than 1/8 of an inch) in about 4 months can hardly be called rapid. Its location however is rather critical. Even so it MAY be possible to treat it radiologically (without surgery) by stereotactically concentrated radiation. It is small enough for that. Best probably by proton beams which have the best definition (to decrease the risks to her optic nerve as much as possible). That treatment however is not available everywhere. Where the nearest such facility may be from where your friend is - wherever that may be - I have no idea of. That is something you will have to find out yourself (I'm a Swede living in Sweden). Surgery would probably be difficult. Good luck!