Back from doctor, 6 mos MRI results are in.....

[tatianne]

I saw my neurotologist this morning and my AN grew 1.5 mm in 6 mos which is a little faster then average.
I measure in at 9.5 mm now and my first measurement was changed to 8mm instead of 8.3mm, therefore a 1.5 mm growth...(I wonder why they changed the first measurement??)
Anyway my doctor says we could wait another year and do a repeat MRI but hed rather not because he feels it may grow a few mm in a year and does not want to take that risk.
Hes sending me to a neurosurgeon for consultation and feels strongly and GK as a form of treatment for me.I will see him again on March 12th after my follow up audio and he will refer me.I was hoping that I would not have to have treatment for a few more years but I guess it will be done sooner rather then later.
 Overall, good or bad news, Im not sure...I know im not feeling very good about of all of this today.
T

[Jim Scott]

tatianne:

Thanks for the update.  Sorry about your AN 'growth spurt' but they sometimes do that. 

Feeling apprehensive when you have to make a decision regarding AN treatment is always a bit nerve-wracking.  That is natural and we've all been there - or will be, soon.  You'll be fine.  Look at all the success stories posted here.  You could be next!    Besides, you have to do something, soon.  However, I see no need for you to rush things.  With the caveat that I hold no medical expertise, I tend to agree with your doctor that, under the circumstances, more waiting-and-watching is probably not a good idea, as much as you might wish that weren't the case.  Have your consultations and weigh all the options carefully, so you'll be comfortable with whatever decision you eventually make regarding treatment.  Gamma Knife is a very viable radiation treatment for small acoustic neuroma tumors, such as yours.  It's been used successfully in thousands of patients and is certainly worth considering.

Keep us informed and of course, we wish you all the best.

Jim

[HeadCase2]

Tatianne,
  It may be worth asking your doctor how accurate the "growth rate" is as measured from sucessive MRI tests.  If the normal error in measuring an AN from an MRI is + or - 1 mm, then the 1.5 mm growth rate may or may not be accurate.    If you're considering treatment, vs. continued watch-and-wait, based on the growth rate it would be good to know how accurate that figure is.
Regards,
 Rob

[tatianne]

thanks guys for your replies.

My doctor is concerned about the growth rate, he doesnt want to wait a year and then find out it grew a couple of mm, he said he would rather start treatment process now and be ready to move forward. Here in Canada everything takes forever, just meeting with the neurosurgeon will probably take months, then its a consultation with the GK team, then we have to book the treatment...in quebec we have one GK machine so preparing for treatment will probably take a long time, more then a year...Thinking about it I think thats my doctors reason for moving forward now.
I feel better after having had a good nights sleep.
Did any of you have to wait a long time between deciding to have treatment and actually having it done ??

[ppearl214]

Hi Tatianne,

MRI's have a +/- factor of approx 2mm, so, if you factor that in, seems you are just about the same as last MRI......we found mine to be growing at approx 3mm-4mm in a short time (even with the +/- factor), so my decision making process began 9 mos post diagnosis, and then, after my extensive research, I was able to make my decision within a 1 month timeframe. I knew what my gut had been telling me, but I checked all options and still went with my gut. I have faith in you to know what to do and to go with your gut as well.

Hang in there!
Phyl