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Brain Tumors/pain in around brain stem and increased salivation

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Expert: - 11/13/2007


Question
I have a chronic pain in the back of my head - lower center which I imagine is close to where the brain stem is? It has been bothering me for at least 6 months. I recently developed increased salivation within the last month. It has not been enough that I drool but my mouth waters all the time and I swallow more than usual. I get scared when I think of damage to my brain stem like a tumor. My family doctor did order a MRI and was looking for things like an aneurysm - and said he did not see anything and thought maybe it has something to do with my sinuses or arthritis. I am scared that there is something more serious. Am I being paranoid? Should I be worried?

Answer
If an MRI of your brain did not show any tumor it is MOST unlikely that you have ANY brain tumor. With regards to other possibilities they are outside my field of expertise here (I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist with experience of treating brain tumors) and you should discuss them with a neurologist!

Brain Tumors

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

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

Experience

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.

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

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