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Brain Tumors/possible meningioma

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Expert: - 4/27/2011


Question
i had a CT scan because i developed facial palsy. i received a letter from the hospital stating '... no obvious cause for facial palsy, however, possible incidental finding of a meningioma, will arrange for an MRI in near future'. that was 3 weeks ago. i have tried to phone, but they keep me on hold too long. i know meningioma is a brain tumor. they stated ' possible'. could it be anything else, less worrying than a brain tumor? and if i do ' have' it. will i die from it? i am only 42, with a son and grand-child. i don't want to die yet. thank-you, annette

Answer
Meningiomas are tumours of the lining of the brain not of the brain itself and they are usually benign (non cancerous so not malignant). Since the diagnosis here is somewhat uncertain it is probably also rather small and can therefore - if small enough (around 1 inch or smaller in size) - be ablated (= deleted) radiologically without any surgery by the so called GammaKnife. DEMAND to have the MRI scan done soonest in order to KNOW what it is! You do not need to phone for that. Such a request can be sent by e-mail. The hospital phone exchange should be able to give the e-mail address. If they do not want to do that be nasty - if so they deserve that! Good luck!



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Brain Tumors

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

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Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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