Relatively Good News

I got the results from the Tumor Board today. Given that my tumor has not grown in nine months it is highly likely that it is a low-grade glioma. The results of the MR Spectroscopy strongly suggest that it is a tumor (I was hoping it was a non-tumor, i.e. something else and not life-threatening). I asked my doctor what the chances are that the tumor could be a grade III. He said that nine months ago, at the time of my first MRI, there was a 30 percent chance it was a grade III. Because I did not have competent medical advice, I didn't know this. Now, as I said above, it looks like a low-grade (I or II) tumor. This is much better.

The tumor board and my doctor lean toward having the tumor removed. This is primarily because of my age (over 50). Tumors tend to progress faster in people my age. It's not a recommendation, it's a leaning. I'm not having surgery now. But I'm not entirely settled with that decision. No matter what I choose there are risks and competing information supporting and not supporting it. It's really hard dealing with uncertainty around treatment. I'm going to see another neuro-oncologist in town (I'm lucky there are 2) in September to talk this all over with someone else.