1 year GK anniversary- a little confused

[Upstate]

It's been 1 year since GK and MRI shows AN is stable.  My 16mm AN is now 12mm.  I am feeling great and can now look forward to an MRI only once a year vs. the 4 I've had in the past year, yeah!!!  I am a little confused however, as my Dr. said while the tumor shrinking was good he was more happy the tumor was moving "up and away" from my brain with less "brain stem compression".  Huh?? I was not aware I had brain stem compression especially with only a 16mm tumor, didn't think that was a possibility with a small to medium AN.  Am I missing something or did I misunderstand what MD said?  Thank you for all the information and support I've received this year from so many wonderful people on this site.

Upstate

[rupert]

Sometimes they don't count the measurement inside the auditory canal.  16mm is considered medium and at that size can very well push on the brain stem outside of the canal.  Mine was 22 x 16mm and was pressing pretty good on the brain stem.   It's good news for you from your doctor.  I wouldn't concern to much about it.   Have you ever looked at your MRI film?   It's very obvious how the AN pushes your brain over.

[mesafinn]

I reviewed my MRI scan with a doctor yesterday thoroughly, and my tumor was 1 mm away from my brain stem.  He said that was good but given that his advice is Watch and Wait, he said the tumor could still grow and push against the brain stem a little bit.  I'm at 1.4 cm, and he said he wouldn't be concerned until it was over 2 cm.

So I think your doctor is saying that since your tumor is shrinking and moving away from the brain stem--that's a very good thing!

I'm considering GK very soon.  What were your particular GK side effects over the past year?  I hope you've had a good year. 

Take care.

P.