Brain / CNS Tumors Support Group

I don't know where your tumor is located but there may be other treatment options for the remainder of the tumor. Be sure to check them out.I had one conventional brain surgery for a primary tumor, and then had radiosurgery (gammaknife) for secondary brain tumor. Both were 95% successful. As far as memory goes - my short term is fried. But I can't know for sure if its from the surgery, radiation, chemo, or all of the above. From what I've learned, memory loss is most often as a result of radiation/chemo, not from surgery itself.

I have plenty of short term issues with memory after my resection. Hence the MrAnomia...happens to me a lot...but I deal with it...so does my wife...better than I. I wouldnt worry, shit happens...my life seemed like it got all screwed up...but Im happier today than I was 3 years ago and Im still recovering. Hang in there!

and people often fail to realize that a Brain surgery patient probably has TBI after surgery...I did! Knowing I had it helped! Radiation kills your Pit gland if you get "full brain".

I had memory issues after my 1st surgery and am now waiting for my second surgery. How are you dealing with the thought of a 2nd surgery?

My son had two brain surgeries and came through without deficits except that he tires more easily. After some regrowth he had 28 radiation treatments which were not a pleasant experience, but stopped things for a while. Now he will be having gamma knife on a single tumors that has started to grow again. He has multiple subependymomas throughout his lateral ventricles. No telling when any one of them will act up again. Surgery is not an option because they've removed all they can without doing major damage. The doctors have mentioned chemotherapy, but since his tumors are not "cancerous", they don't think it would be effective. My question is - what defines "cancer"? He has cells growing in his brain that nothing seems to be able to stop and it can't be removed. Very frustrating. I think the most important things is that you've gotten more than one opinion and you truly trust the people who are treating you. My son is being treating at Mayo clinic where they use a team approach. Always involved are a Neurologist Oncology specialist, a Radioation oncoloist and a neurosugeon. His case was also taken to a tumor board to make sure colleagues agreed on the courses of action. So far he has been extremely lucky. Be sure to get that second (and even third opinion) before moving forward. I wish you the very best of luck.