Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 11/12/2011

Question
Hi,

My husband has a grade 2 astrocytoma that was resected about 14 months ago.  No further treatment was given except MRIs every 3 months.  My first question is why after a year would the doctor recommend having MRIs every six months instead?  We did agree on MRIs every 4 months instead but I am not sure why the switch from every 3 months.  We know that this tumor will grow back and I don't understand the importance of the one year.  
My second question is this.  My husband has a history of sinus infections and was told at his last MRI that he has a polyp in his sinus.  He has started having mild headaches, they seem to be daily but do come and go throughout the day.  These headaches do not effect his sleep and I have not noticed any other problems or concerns.  These headaches feel like other sinus headaches he has had but are also similar to the headaches he was having before the tumor was found.  The tumor was actually found because of a seizure.  Do you think we should call the neurosurgeon or try and see an ENT doctor first?  
Thank you so much for your time.  It is truly appreciated.

Answer
With regards to his sinus polyp he should see an ENT surgeon. The change from every 3 months to every 6 months when 1 year had passed was because evidently nothing had happened up to that moment. Yes eventually his tumor will probably return but if it was a grade 2 tumor that will probably be only after several years have gone by. However with this new symptom it is not wrong to call his neurosurgeon to ask for a new MRI scan. Good luck!



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