ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: GM on August 20, 2011, 05:38:36 am

Title: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: GM on August 20, 2011, 05:38:36 am

Morning all!  ...good news...well sort of?? 

I had my annual MRI in July and when I read the MRI, I noted that the tumor looked slightly smaller.  But, I also noticed that there weren't as many slices (images) of the tumor to select from.  So I wasn't sure if the tumor did get smaller...or did it "appear" to get smaller because of the amount of images available for viewing.  So I figured I'd wait to see the doc and ask at follow up.

The doc (and radiologist report) also said the tumor was slightly smaller (by 3-4mm in each direction).  I asked the doc about the amount of slices to view from...and also that I assumed that shrinkage would be accompanied by necrosis.     Doc still feels its slightly smaller.  I asked to be kept on an annual MRI at least another year (verses 2 yr), and he said OK.  BTW...hearing results are the same...no change or loss in hearing in AN ear.

So...first of all I'm thankful to God that it appears smaller (and that the tumor has been stable since 2005)...but I'm cautious to celebrate.  I'm waiting on my follow up results from the University of Virginia as they also read and make recommendations (I'm in their follow up study as a Gamma Knife patient).    If next years study is the same then I'll think about celebrating.

Just filling you all in....thanks for reading.    8)

Gary

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: lholl36233 on August 20, 2011, 06:19:58 am

Gary,

Thanks for sharing.  Very happy for you!

Laura

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: CHD63 on August 20, 2011, 08:19:17 am

Any MRI that shows no growth is cause for celebrating.  Congratulations, Gary!

Clarice

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: Jim Scott on August 20, 2011, 01:24:06 pm

Gary ~

Great news!  I would caution that (according to my radiation oncologist) radiated AN shrinkage and necrosis are not necessarily mutual. I suggest that you celebrate, now. 

Jim

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: LisaP on August 21, 2011, 05:33:38 pm

Hi,

Congrats on the good news.

LisaP

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: Vivian B. on September 02, 2011, 10:16:59 pm

Hi Gary,

This is great. I know how you feel. You are almost afraid to be happy sometimes when you are told that the tumor is stable and even more when your told it's smaller. However, try to enjoy the news and don't think about it until your next MRI. You deserve it.

Vivian

Title: Re: Slightly Smaller?
Post by: GM on September 04, 2011, 07:10:12 pm

Thanks Vivian     :D