What is a meningioma and can it affect behavior?
• My 25-year-old daughter had an ependymoma removed from her 4th ventricle, cerebellum and brainstem. The surgeon performed a gross total resection but left a microscopic layer of tumor cells on her brainstem. She now suffers from ataxia, double vision and balance difficulties. Is radiation appropriate at this time? If radiation is done now and the tumor comes back on her brainstem, is she able to have gamma knife treatment at that time? What are the possible complications from radiation to the brainstem? Who would be an expert in ependymomas to contact? • My wife, age 77, was diagnosed with GBM on 8/5/03. She had 33 radiation treatments and 12 Temodar cycles. She basically had very minor problems – no seizures or nausea. Her last MRI & PET scans were in the last part of August. When we talked to the radiation oncologist, he said words to the effect “Congratulations, you’re cured”. We both looked at the scans and, not being experts, really could not confirm or agree with his diagnosis.
