brain tumors - occipital lobe - any info?

[Keri]

Hello,
I know from time to time others hop on the AN site to find out info about different kinds of tumors. I'm now doing the same. I have a good friend who had stroke like symptoms - his vision flashed and was sort of 'blacking out.' He has a 2cm tumor on his occipital lobe (or in it, not sure).
He wanted some advice from me with my 1.6cm AN, removed by translab. His doctor wants to do a biopsy (requiring drilling in his head a one inch hole, a 3 day hospital stay) but someone else (not a doc) suggested he check into GK.
I don't think our tumors are alike, but I gave him advice that we give on here - get a 2nd opinion (his doc wants to move fast on this, which may be necessary), and check how many of these types of surgeries the doctor has done. Also, I told them that I believe with GK or radiation, tumor size has an impact on whether they can do it or not.

We live in the DC area and I suggested Hopkins or Univ of MD.
Unfortunately, he doens't have a 'name' or forum he can go to for questions, help, support. I told him this AN forum is the greatest and if anyone can jump in with answers or experience with this type of thing, they will

Thank you!!
Keri

[Jim Scott]

Keri ~

Check your PM box. 

Jim

[Nickittynic]

I don't have an specific info that would help your friend but I had my surgery at Hopkins and will be transferring postop care to University of MD (insurance reasons primarily) so if you want to talk hospitals I can do that. Though I guess I also have some occipital lobe experience since a chunk of mine was taken out during my AN surgery.

[jerseygirl]

Nicole,

I am confused now: was it a part of your cerebellum removed during the surgery or part of your occipital lobe which is considered to be part of the cerebrum, not cerebellum?

            Eve

[Keri]

thank you (all of you) for answering. i guess with his mass, he's heard several different courses of treatment that are vastly different. doc #1 - take a biopsy - get it out now. doc #2 - wait. then one said he may have migraines but they still need to find out what that 2 cm mass in his head is! he has another appt thursday, i believe. it's got to be disconcerting! at least with AN's we pretty much know our treatment options, although of course, there can always be complications and regrowth, etc. i know in this area i think a good hospital to have a procedure done would be hopkins or Maryland. i'll keep you posted. please keep wayne in your prayers.

thanks,
keri

[Nickittynic]

Eve, you're right - I didn't pay much attention to the original question obviously. Blame it on the messed up brain. 

[jerseygirl]

Whew! (A sigh of relief!) If you had any part of your occipital lobe removed, you would have felt it a lot more! I just hoped that no surgeon had to do something like that just to get to the tumor.

            Eve