MRI reading is not clear to me

[tatianne]

I saw my MRI results.
It says quote:
"isointense lesion within the right internal auditory canal which shows homogeneous enhancement after intravenous injection of gadolinium. Lesion measures 8 x 3.3 x 3.2 mm in transverse, craniocaudal and anteroposterior diameters respectively.
It abuts the porus acusticus without significant extension to the cerebellopontine angle.
The 7th and 8th cranial nerve appears anteriorly displaced/compressed.
There is no eveidence of significant abnormalities on the left 7th and 8th nerve.
The intracisternal segment of the 5th and 6th cranial nerve is unremarkable.
Meckels cave are within normal limits.
No evidence of other ares of abnormal enhancement.
Impression: Right intracanalicular enhancing lesion, may represent Acoustic Neurinoma (i think he spelled it wrong)

Why does he say may represent, does that mean he thinks it could be something else? This worries me. My doctor say radiologists do that to cover their butts.
Did anyone else have what sounded like it maybe an AN???

Im so afraid that this is cancer, i already have health anxiety issues, i more worried about this then anything else right now.
My docotor made a point of telling me its not cancer, me being who i am said, are you sure ?? He told me, look nothing is for sure, you can be hit by lightning tomorrow cant you ??

Im sorry if a sound like im crazy and over worrying. I have 3 small children and my biggest fear is not to be here for them.
Tks
T

[HeadCase2]

T,
  The radiologist probably said it "may represent Acoustic Neurinoma" because the actual diagnosis can only be confirmed with a pathology report (from looking at a sample of the tumor).  According to some of the articles I've read, these tumors are usually (94%) Vestibular Schwannoma (from the Schwan cells of the nerve covering) or (6%) Meningioma (from the protective covering tissues of the brain).   A meningioma would be more likely if the tumor is closer to the brain in the CVA (cerebellopontine angle).
  Your radiologist report is fairly classic for an AN diagnosis.
Regards,
 Rob

[Obita]

tatianne:

My MRI report read exactly the same as yours (except the size).  Please try to put the cancer thing to rest and concentrate on your future treatment or wait and watch.  If the radiologist suspected it was anything else he/she would have wrote:
"May represent ......................." and some other name for a tumor would have been written in there.  

Send your MRI CD to the House in CA.  They will call you the next day with their opinion and then you can get some sleep.

An AN is something to keep and eye on and it will need treatment someday but it is NOT cancerous.  You must relax a little or your kids will start picking up on your anxiety and they will worry!!

Best of luck,  Kathy

[tatianne]

thanks so much Rob, your information was extremely helpful for me.
I feel lost, i know hardly anything about all of this and i want to know as much as i can before
i make any decisions.
I know that ive lost only about 30% of my hearing and I would like to preserve that, although living without
hearing in one ear is something minor compared to many other possibilities.
The support here is incredible, im so blessed to have found you guys and girls.
God Bless you all

[tatianne]

Tks Kathy, it helps to hear that someone else had the same reading.
I live in Canada, you think its still possible for me to send it to L.A. ??
I guess i could fedex it overnight, do you think they would look at it even though its coming from canada?
In Canada our health system is paid for by the government, which is truely a blessing.
Although, with that, we have extremely long waiting times for tests and results, as well as
doctors appointments. I have a bit of a upper hand because my ex husband works in the emergengy room of a hospital, he knows a lot of doctors, radiologists, etc...so im able to get things done a little faster.
Its also difficult to decide to go get a second opinion because you need a referal to see a specialist.
My ENT is amazing though, he has refered me to his partner, a neuroptologist who is a graduate from Harvard and specializes in ANs,
I think Im in great hands. ( I hope)
When i got mu results from my ex husband I panicked and called my ENTs office, who was on vacation, he called me 20 minutes later. He told me not because he felt the situation was urgent, just because he knew of my anxiety and wanted to reassure me. I thought that was pretty amazing.
Tks Kathy for your response, it has helped me a lot.
T

[Obita]

Tatianne:

I can't imagine they would care where you live.  They offer this as a free service.  Someone will call you back the next day. I think their address is:  2100 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA. 90057 and their phone # if you want to call is 213-483-9930. ***Any House people out there - is this info correct?

And if you need to hear one of the success/good stories I can sure tell you mine.  I am just fine with no complications other than being deaf in my left ear which I knew would happen because I chose the Translab approach.  I am two years post op and you would never know I had surgery unless you watched me walk in the dark - My story is posted about 3 months ago or you can email me anytime!!

Life is good!!  Kathy

[tatianne]

Im going to get my films and send them.
I would really appreciate hearing your story Kathy, I will go back and find it.
Tks for the offer to e-mail you, i will take you up on that.
T

[Sue]

Tatianne:

Repeat after me:   NOT CANCER, NOT CANCER, NOT CANCER   
Cancer?  Nope, Nada, Zero, Zip.

A stupid accoustic neuroma tumor?  Yes.  Cancerous?  NO...  I repeat
NOT CANCEROUS
There, now.   Meditate, breath deeply, get a backrub, soak in the tub.....let it all out.

[krbonner]

Im sorry if a sound like im crazy and over worrying. I have 3 small children and my biggest fear is not to be here for them.
Tks
T

I can certainly understand your anxiety.  I went through the exact same thing - I have two young sons and was scared to death for them.  And the word "tumor" is certainly very scary, no matter what.

What helped me was conversations with my neuro-ENT and neurosurgeon.  They have each dealt with hundreds and hundreds of AN cases.  And neither one could tell me of a single instance where a patient they thought had a benign tumor turned out to have a malignant one.  Malignancies look different, present differently, and have other telltale signs.  It took me a long time to put this particular fear to rest, but I did.  I hope you can, too.

Katie

[tatianne]

thanks Katie.
the fact that your doctors didnt see one case makes me feel better already ! Youve been helpful.
Cheers