jennifer s Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I am trying to find someone who has had brain mets and had them removed. what was the outcome?/benefit ? Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Jennifer, My husband developed a single large brain met last April. It was surgically removed, then he had a month of whole brain radiation treatments. The surgery was a relative breeze - really, no major recovery issues at all. Recovery from the radiation has been another matter - it's been pretty difficult. He struggled for about 12 weeks after the radiation ended with neurological side effects like severe fatigue and loss of appetite. For the 3 months after that, he has been much better, but still has limited energy. The benefits of having brain mets removed (if feasible) are: 1.) Any neuro symptoms are usually relieved pretty quickly. 2.) The majority of studies that look at long term survivors of brain mets seem to indicate that surgical resection is a common factor in many of those cases. Good luck, hope this helped a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer s Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 Thank you that is helpful info, Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather_T Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Jennifer, Hi, my name is Heather and I had Whole brain radiation in Sept. and it did not do anything to the tumor. I talked to my Onc. and he suggested have surgery in Nov. I also have had more problems with the radiation then the surgery as Mary Colleen husband. I still have my issue of being tired, my head hurts(my skin), and loss of appetite. The only problems I still have from the surgery is a little speech issues and sometimes understanding with numbers. It hasn't been long since everything has happened but I feel the surgery was the thing to do. I could have done without whole brain radiation. If you have any question just ask if I did not make any since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Go to a neurosurgeon and see if gamma knife is a option. I had gamma knife and within 60 days tumor was gone. I did not have WBR or PCI. Very little side effects. God Bless Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Don point is a good one. Cyber knife is a good option, if it fits your case. Another thing I should tell you: I didn't mean to diminish your willingness to do WBR, if that is appropriate for you. It can be a very hard treatment for many, but studies do generally indicate that it greatly reduces your chances of a having a brain recurrence in the future. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather_T Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I agree with Mary about deminishing WBR. Even with my symptyms and everything I still would have done WBR. I will do whatever I need to do like most of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Jennifer, My husband Alan had 1 large brain met back in july 2005. Surgery was not an option for Alan, so he had WBR and 15 IMRT treatments. Alan does have some minors issues with memory, hearing and his balance is off a bit, but at the same time his MRI's have been clear ever since which is 2.5 years now. Prayers that whatever the treatment is it will be successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Look into the gamma knife... cyber knife is for other areas, but gamm a knife is the brain. Good luck, Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennifer s Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 thank you all for your prompt reply, It is encouraging to find a group of people who are so engaged and responsive. Jennifer my surgery is feb 5th and i hope it will buy me some more quality time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azgirl Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 My mom had a single brain met resected last June. She really had no choice because it was growing and causing her brain to swell, so it had to be removed. We felt extremely lucky that it was isolated and able to be taken out. Like someone else mentioned, the recovery was a piece of cake (especially compared to the recovery of her lung surgery!). In August she had WBR. Her side effects were fatigue and loss of appetite, but it didn't last that long. She may have some short-term memory issues now, but nothing major. The doctors were very persistent that she should have the WBR to reduce the chances of a recurrence. The first CT scan she had after chemo (just a few weeks ago) showed a spot on her skull. We are now awaiting results from a PET scan to see what that spot was. We are praying hard that it was just some scar tissue. Good luck with your surgery; I hope this info. helps you some. Maryea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexan Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 since I have 4 brain mets, they recomendit the WBR, I had 18 cycles, a week after I went to Spain on vacations with my family, only side efect tierdness, but cyberknife if much better. Best of luck bucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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