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Brain Tumors/Melanoma spread to brain?

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Expert: - 6/8/2011


Question
Hello there.

My wife had a malignant melanoma on her neck behind her ear 7 months ago. It was 1mm in depth and was invasive(Clarks Level 3) with a high mitotic rate of 11per mm2. She had negative lymph nodes so overall there was no sign of cancer spread. She was diagnosed as Stage 1b melanoma.

Now 7 months on she is experiencing dizzyness(room spinning), light headedness and nausea. It seems to get worse when she moves head back, gets up out of bed or goes to bed.However, sometimes she is just dizzy for hours and it isnt related to head movement or being in a certain position. She has been like this for 2 weeks now. She doesnt have headaches and really has no other symptoms.

Does this sound like the melanoma has metastisized to the brain to you?

Hope to hear from you soon

We are so worried.

Thanks

John

Answer
There is always a possibility and symptoms of that may be very vague in early stages. The only way to find out with any reasonable degree of certainty is by an MRI brain scan. So if I was in your position that is what I would ask for. So I suggest that she asks her doctor to have that done. She should anyway discuss this problem with her doctor. I do hope nothing is found!



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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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