Author Topic: Questions for Dr. ???  (Read 3355 times)

arcticrose

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Questions for Dr. ???
« on: May 22, 2013, 11:05:39 pm »
Hi!  I have a phone conference with my Dr. on the 28th for my 1 year post CK  MRI results.  I was hoping for help from all of you for questions I might want to ask the Dr.  I like to write my questions down so I remember them!!  LOL  I took the ANA survey recently and wrote down 4 things I wanted to be sure to ask and now of course I can't find them.  I know to ask if there is shrinkage or no growth, nacrosus?, his opinion, but is there something I should be asking??  Thanks in advance!!  Nancy
4mm x 8mm right side AN found 10/30/11
imbalance, ringing and fullness in ear
CK 3/16/12 San Diego Dr. D. Smith

CHD63

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Re: Questions for Dr. ???
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2013, 05:39:10 am »
Hi Nancy .....

Although this list of questions is primarily for pre-treatment, it might help you remember the ones you wanted to ask ..... look at the Questions for Treating Physician on the main ANA home page:  http://anausa.org/index.php/overview/questions-for-treating-physician

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

arizonajack

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Re: Questions for Dr. ???
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2013, 12:35:12 pm »
Hi!  I have a phone conference with my Dr. on the 28th for my 1 year post CK  MRI results.  I was hoping for help from all of you for questions I might want to ask the Dr.  I like to write my questions down so I remember them!!  LOL  I took the ANA survey recently and wrote down 4 things I wanted to be sure to ask and now of course I can't find them.  I know to ask if there is shrinkage or no growth, nacrosus?, his opinion, but is there something I should be asking??  Thanks in advance!!  Nancy

There's really not much to ask. And, frankly, I think you should be looking at your MRI images yourself and comparing them to the MRI images of a year ago.

There probably won't be any shrinkage yet and more than likely the AN might look a little bigger. But the important part of the picture is the dark spot that is forming in the tumor that indicates necrosis where the tissue is dying and no longer absorbs contrast.

Take a look at this series of images I found on the internet. It's a 36 month progression post radiation:

http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0360301612004336-gr3.jpg

3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

PaulW

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Re: Questions for Dr. ???
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2013, 01:47:18 pm »
What is the main purpose of the 12 month MRI?
For an Acoustic Neuroma of my size, what do you typically see at the 12 month MRI?
What do you see in my MRI?
Does seeing necrosis in the 12 month MRI predict the success of the treatment?


This is my understanding of how things work, but some questions around this maybe worthwhile
Your AN is small, and CK gives a more homogenous dose than GK.
Necrosis or black spots are less likely to occur at 12 months with small tumours, and less likely again with CK due to the better dose distribution. Fast necrosis of the whole tumour is actually undesirable, as rotting meat inside your skull can cause complications. The 12 month MRI is done to ensure there are no complications like hydrocephalus, dramatic tumour
 growth and to set a benchmark for the 24m and 36m MRI.

Do not feel discouraged if the tumour is larger and there is no sign of necrosis.
This is fairly typical I believe for a small tumour and your doctor can confirm this with you.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2013, 01:50:34 pm by PaulW »
10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!

arcticrose

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Re: Questions for Dr. ???
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2013, 05:27:19 pm »
Thanks so much for the imput!!  Now to talk to the Dr.   Again, thank you.
4mm x 8mm right side AN found 10/30/11
imbalance, ringing and fullness in ear
CK 3/16/12 San Diego Dr. D. Smith