Benign Skull Tumors

Question: Can benign tumors on the skull turn cancerous?

Answer: no they are sebaceous cysts

Question: Has anyone heard of the Peptide treatment for brain tumors? I remember Whitaker Wellness Clinic in S. Calif. had something about it, and he mentioned a Dr. Byrzinski (sp?) in Texas, but I wanted to hear anyone who has been helped by such, or has more info. My husband has a tumor, most likely benign at the base of his skull.

Answer: I'm not sure, but www.mayoclinic.com has info on treatments...might try there? I hope all turns out well.

Question: I have 2 unremovable brain tumors and am now having what I THINK are seizures? Here's the info. 7 years ago, had a "decompression" surgery on 2 benign tumors-called facial schwannoma's. They can't be removed because they are intertwined with my facial nerves, acoustic nerves and going up into the canal opening in my skull. The deal was, decompression was supposed to buy me 10, maybe 15 years. It's now been 7 years and I have started having the same symptoms as before but worse. I go back to the neurologist (about a 6hr drive away so I need to know what to ask/talk about while I'm there!!) next week. Here's my question. I think I'm experiencing seizures now and wondered if anyone could help that has experience...give me advice, what to tell the doctor, etc. **The first time it happened, I felt funny, then I could literally feel my left side becoming different than my right and I couldn't move the left side much at all. This lasted for about 2-3 min's then got better. The 2nd time, my body was jerking and it woke me up from sleep but I stopped jerking.... I laid there but it felt like an out of body experience, if that makes sense. I could move my entire body but it was like I wasn't really conscious. And after each of these episodes, my eyes hurt to move them ...up or down, side to side. Doesn't matter how. They just hurt for days.... **Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Are these seizures? I will be facing radiation treatments soon but this seizure thing scares me, especially when sleeping....help please! *Thanks for the replies so far...actually, my doctor already has me on Neurontin and Meclizine. The Neurontin was more for nerve pain that seizures and the Meclizine but vertigo. But I'm still having these episodes, but not everyday.

Answer: The sleep episodes could be completely unrelated to the tumors. I've had similar, and my doc said they are something like the sleep paralysis you may have heard of. The numbness and tingling could be anything-- a pinched nerve, even a micro-stroke, etc. But you need ot discuss these things with your neurologist. It would be worth the trip, even if you didn't already have an appointment. Good Luck!

Question: How long does a operation to remove a benign bone tumor from the head usually take? On April 14, 2008 my neurosurgeon is going to do a operation on my head to get rid of a benign bone tumor that outside of my side and partially inside of my skull. How long does this a operation of this kind usually take , when we they give me a shot to knock me out so they can operate on me? They also be going to doing yet anther CAT scan with a really fancy machine while they do this operation. How long do operations like this normally take? Hours? I know that they are doing a blood test before the operation that day.I think I'm going to be in the hospital for 1-2 days afterwards after the operation. Professional medical personnel only please answer this question. Thank You.

Answer: That's an excellent question, though difficult to be precise with an answer without precise details of the nature and extent of the tumor. If it's simple you could be done (from the start of anesthesia to wheeling you back to recovery) in a few hours. If its more complicated and involves structures in your head that require more detailed work it could be over 5 hours. The blood test the day prior to surgery is just standard procedure to make sure you are still healthy enough to undergo the operation. I'm surprised your surgeon hasn't gone over the details with you if you are already scheduled. He would be the best person to ask though and he should be more than happy to put you at ease about the procedure. Oh, and I'm a medical student by the way since you're probably wondering.

Question: Malignancy Eating Away Bone on 8 yr old's skull....? My son is 8 yrs old and just got results from CT Scan in on a soft spot on top of his head. The doctor said it appears to be a malignancy that is deterioating the bone and surgery is needed to remove the bone and replace with a titanium plate. He has a consultation and MRI and Biopsy scheduled on Monday. Is this cancer? Malignant and Benign refer to Tumors and I have always associated a Malignant Tumor with Cancer. I need some qualified help to explain to me what is wrong with him and if there is a chance this or the surgery could be fatal. I am a single mom and need someone to help me be informed so I can be informed when I go into the consultation and to help me make the correct decision on what to do. The only insurance I have is MaineCare (like Medicaid) and am afraid that I will be treated differently. Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer: You need to call the doctor for a definitive diagnosis. However the word 'malignancy' usually means that it is cancer. Go to all the meetings, have the tests, and biopsy and collect as much information as you can about this disease. I know you are concerned about insurance but most states have a 'Children with Special Needs' program that will cover many of the costs of this illness. Your first concern needs to be your son. But I understand how scared you are right now. If it is cancer than there are treatment options and if you are not satisfied you can ask for a second or third opinion. If possible you should go to a pediatric childrens hospital and your son should be seen by a pediatric oncology team so that his care can be coordinated among the disciplines. Stay strong.

Question: Winning social security disability with an atypical presentation of something? I have a rare benign bone tumor of the skull called fibrous dysplasia. It usually present in childhood or early adulthood (mine came kinda late, 27 when diagnosed 4 years ago).. usually it's associated with progressive bone deformity, facial drooping, seizures if compressing the brain, and pain. Mine is slightly atypical in that I just have constant pressure in my head. My symptoms have been constant disabling headache for 4 years. I am very close to seeing the administrative law judge as I've been waiting a long, long time. I am slightly worried (okay, very worried) because I note how extremely specific the guidelines are for various conditions, and I can't even find the listing for F.D. of the skull. To my benefit, I have a letter fully supporting my claim from a doctor indicating that it's causing my symptoms, may require major surgery, I have one past failed attempt to work a few years ago, and I have been treated extensively by a neurologist without any improvement at all. I have also more recently been diagnosed with depression and panic attacks, but that doctor isn't interested in getting involved with disability cases (bastard). How do I stand?

Answer: The guidelines you refer to exist in the blue book, which is how most disability examiners (I am a former disability examiner for the social security administration) refer to the listing book, which is officially titled "Disability Evaluation under Social Security". The listing book, or blue book (it's called that because the cover is blue, no other reason) contains specific approval criteria for a number of mental and medical impairments...however, what many or most claimants do not realize is that: A) Most conditions are not listed in the blue book (for example, fibromyalgia is not listed). B) Some conditions are technically given a listing but are not truly given consideration as an impairment in their own right (bipolar disorder, which is listed in the blue book as a subset of affective disorders and is referred to in the book as "bipolar syndrome is a good example of this). and C) Most individuals who are approved for disability are not approved by meeting, or equaling, the requirements of a listing. Instead. they are approved for benefits by being given what is called a "medical vocational allowance". A medical vocational allowance is an approval that is made by determining what a claimant's current physical or mental limitations are. This is done by gathering and then evaluating the medical evidence. Then, the claimant's rated limitations (referred to as their residual functional capacity) are measured against the requirements of their past work, i.e. the jobs they've done in the past. If their current condition eliminates their ability to go back to one of their past jobs, they may possibly be approved for disability. However, this is still contingent upon the claimant being determined to be unable to do some form of "other work". Other work is a broad concept and it basically includes any work that a person might reasonably be expected to perform based on their age, education, job skills and current physical and/or mental limitations. Individuals who are determined to be incapable of transitioning to "other work" will typically be approved for disability. The reason I bring all of this up is that you are focusing on "atypical presentation" and "symptomology" and "diagnosed conditions". This is simply not how disability claims are decided. As a former disability examiner for SSA, I can tell you that all cases are decided on the basis of functional limitations, which are indicated by the information presented in a claimant's medical records. So, in other words, the name of your condition, or your symptoms, are not really that relevant. What is important is how your condition limits you. And, more specifically, how your condition limits your ability to engage in work activity. Since you have a hearing coming up at some point in the near future, it will be very important for you and your representative (it is foolish to go before a federal judge representing yourself) to gather medical evidence that indicates your limitations. And this is why a qualified and competent representative (who is usually an attorney, but not always) will always attempt to obtain a detailed supporting "medical source" statement from your treating physician (a doctor who has provided treatment to you and is qualified to rate your limitations). This medical source statement, also known as an RFC, or residual functional capacity, form will explain in detail to the judge how limited you are, which justifies why you cannot be expected to go back to your past jobs or transition to some new type of other work.

Question: post-brain tumor surgery? here's the deal: 3 months ago i had a brain surgery to remove a benign tumor in my head. it was quite big, 7 cm in diameter. it has been removed completely but part of my skull is still not put back because the wound from the last surgery hasn't healed completely yet. can i continue my study (college) in a month? is there any medical reason that i shouldn't? thanks in advance. a few weeks ago, i went to the hospital again because the doctor told me to come to have a checkup. the doctor said the MRI test was good. the part that hasn't healed yet is inside. he did said it will take some time to heal completely. then he would place my skull back in place. thanks for your response, guys. the doctor did say that the healing might take up to 6 months to complete but he also told me to checkup after 3 months and 6 months in case i healed faster and to checkup. now my head just look dented on one side. the hair already grow almost like it was and i have no problem about the cosmetic thing.

Answer: Your tumor was benign which is a great thing.. Talk to your doctor, You should be fine to continue your schooling. Sounds like it is only a cosmetic thing at this point. As long as you are able to continue your daily functions, without any problems you should be fine to go back to school. I would be more concerned with the healing time than the cosmetics. Find out why it has not healed yet. Talk to your MD.

Question: How long after returning home from the hospital before you should start eating normally again and feeling norm I just came from my hospital stay in SLC Regional Hospital so that the doctor's there could remove a benign bone tumor about the size of a hard boiled egg from my left hand part of my skull on Wednesday. The operation was on Monday. Right now I'm still trying to eat what I can, move around the house a little bit and rest. How long before my appetite returns from such a operation that takes so much out of you before you feel back to normal in eating etc..? My doctor has given me about 2 weeks off from my job because of this operation and my lack of energy here at home. Medical personel only please answer. Thanks!!

Answer: Considering that you aren't getting answers here, why don't you ask your doctor? If you can't get to him, just call any doctor you can find in the phone book or in the hospital's directory.

Question: Brain Tumor Scare? I have been having severe headaches, actually extreme pressure in my skull as if someone is squeezing my head, ringing in my ears, a pins-&-needle sensation in my arms and hands, sensations of fluttering in my head and feeling as if I will pass out along with feeling disoriented at times as if I forget what I am doing or can't find the words for what I want to say. I had an MRI last Monday a 1.6cm x 1cm neuroma was found, the radiologist said that it appeared to be benign. I had a CT scan on Wednesday and am awaiting the results, my Neurologist was on vacation Thursday and Friday. I did get a copy of the report and the only information I could understand was that I should have a follow-up CT scan in 6 months. Should I be concerned? I have a lot of discomfort on a daily basis and can't imagine that I will have to keep taking pain medication until it grows large enough for someone to deem it necessary to remove it? Any advice? I guess I didn't know that I needed to make it clear that someone with a similar diagnosis or a physcian need only reply. I have a wonderful life and am a Christian, I need medical advice.

Answer: The MRI is the most valuable tool used in locating brain tumors. Your radiologist, however is not a neurologist. Your best bet is to get a copy of your MRI. The Neuro will be able to give you a clearer picture of what is going on. Your symptoms are actually more indicative of either a sinuis infection or inner ear issue. depending on the location of the neuroma, I would almost bet it is an inner ear issue. But I am not a doctor nor do I play one on tv. I did have a brain tumor and mine presented itself with a siezure. If you can, I would wait until you can see your Neuro. Spend the weekend relaxing, put your feet up, etc.. If you do not like what your neuro says, go get a second opinion. Your neuro may say to wait for six months to see if anything changes. If the neuroma is small and doesn't change, no big deal. If it gets bigger than it could be an issue. Good luck

Question: How long does a operation to remove a benign bone tumor from the head usually take? On April 14, 2008 my neurosurgeon is going to do a operation on my head to get rid of a benign bone tumor that outside of my side and partially inside of my skull. How long does this a operation of this kind usually take , when we they give me a shot to knock me out so they can operate on me? They also be going to doing yet anther CAT scan with a really fancy machine while they do this operation. How long do operations like this normally take? Hours? I know that they are doing a blood test before the operation that day.I think I'm going to be in the hospital for 1-2 days afterwards after the operation. Professional medical personnel only please answer this question. Thank You.

Answer: You really ought to ask your surgeon.