Questions re: my partial tumor removal

[Brendasue]

Hi I was wondering if anyone has had part of the tumor (inoperative) left without treatment ? I had my surgery in 2003 it was very large and due to risk of stroke/death the surgeons left part of the tumor but assured me the blood flow was cut therefor the risk of it growing back was gone. My first scan post surgery as well as second showed what I was told was like scar tissue growing and not the tumor? I'm hoping someone can reassure or let me know something as I am feeling symptoms again such as frequent more severe headaches, wierd vision off and on, some facial twitching. Any comments are much appreciated as I'm starting to freak out a bit

[CHD63]

Hi Brendasue .....

It seems unusual for surgeons to say the risk of a tumor growing back is gone.  Even if a single cell was left, there is always the risk of a tumor growing back.

Please do not freak out, but I would urge you to contact your doctor(s) soon and/or schedule another MRI.  When was your last MRI?

Many thoughts and prayers.

Clarice

[Kathleen_Mc]

Brendasue:
I came out of surgery being told tumor was 100% removed, no MRI follow up done until 8 years postop and was told what was showing was scar tissue, next year the "scar tissue" had grown and was sent back to surgeon who told me it was reoccurance of the original tumor and it was possible he had left a cell or two behind, it continued to grow until I had it removed.
My point is this....get it followed up!
Kathleen

[Gloria Nailor]

I had a small portion of my tumor left during my surgery, about 2%.  I had asked the surgeon to leave it if he felt I would have total paralysis In my face.  He told me there was a 67% chance of regrowth.  He also said that there was a 33% chance of it not regrowing  due to the blood supply being cut off. Two years later I just had gamma knife radiation because it did start to regrow.  It regrows very slowly, about 1 mm a year, so I wasn't experiencing any side effects from it regrowing.  I would definitely have my doctor search further for a cause of your symptoms.  Good luck and be well!

[Brendasue]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post and yes I too was surprised to learn about the risk of the tumor growing back- as I fully believed everything the surgeons told me! I haven't had an MRI since 2006 per the surgeon and was told 2013 would be next but have no Health insurance presently so I'm a little stressed! I'm hoping to get it figured out soon.