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Brain scan results coming up – what to expect
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Brain scan results coming up – what to expect

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Brain scan results coming up – what to expect

  • Post
    • September 3, 2016 at 6:56 pm
    keepthefaith11
    Participant
      My dad had his brain scan on Friday. It has been a little more than a month since he finished whole brain radiation. Does anyone have any ideas of what we might see on the scan? Just really nervous and want to know what to expect. He had 13 Mets in the brain, ranging from 2 millimeters to 15 millimeters.

      He is feeling great now. No issues with speech and plenty of energy. Living his life as normal. No headaches, no mood changes. I would think this is a good sign. Especially since all this started with seizures.

      For those of you who have had brain radiation, did it work?

      The doctors are saying that depending on how the scan looks they will determine treatment based on that. If it looks like there is activity even after radiation, they will start him on the Inhibitors. Otherwise they feel comfortable getting him on Opdivo.

      I know radiation is just a temporary fix. How long did it take before your tumors started growing again.

      Please share your experiences. Thank you!

      Annie

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        • September 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Hi Annie,

          It is hard to say what they will see on the scans.  They may see "dark holes" where the tumors have been zapped into nothingness.  However, they are more likely to see resolving areas, some swelling, and such as I recall your dad's radiation was not that long ago.  Yes, alone…radiation may be a temporary fix.  However, followed rapidly with immunotherapy and even targeted therapy (within 4 weeks is best…there are many reports regarding the safety and benefit of the combination on my blog)…the results are much, much, better than radition alone.  Think President Jimmy Carter….and ME…and many others!  Had had one brain tumor zapped in April 2010.  Finally got into an Opdivo trial in December (cause that was back in the day and anti-PD1 was just being studied!!!) and another small brain tumor was found…but by 3 month re-scan it was gone….AND…brain tumors have yet to recur.  So…despite the horror that is melanoma….it is not ALL doom and gloom…even for those of us with holey heads!!!  Get systemic therapy going as soon as you can!  yours, c

          • September 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm
          Bubbles
          Participant

            Hi Annie,

            It is hard to say what they will see on the scans.  They may see "dark holes" where the tumors have been zapped into nothingness.  However, they are more likely to see resolving areas, some swelling, and such as I recall your dad's radiation was not that long ago.  Yes, alone…radiation may be a temporary fix.  However, followed rapidly with immunotherapy and even targeted therapy (within 4 weeks is best…there are many reports regarding the safety and benefit of the combination on my blog)…the results are much, much, better than radition alone.  Think President Jimmy Carter….and ME…and many others!  Had had one brain tumor zapped in April 2010.  Finally got into an Opdivo trial in December (cause that was back in the day and anti-PD1 was just being studied!!!) and another small brain tumor was found…but by 3 month re-scan it was gone….AND…brain tumors have yet to recur.  So…despite the horror that is melanoma….it is not ALL doom and gloom…even for those of us with holey heads!!!  Get systemic therapy going as soon as you can!  yours, c

            • September 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Hi Annie,

              It is hard to say what they will see on the scans.  They may see "dark holes" where the tumors have been zapped into nothingness.  However, they are more likely to see resolving areas, some swelling, and such as I recall your dad's radiation was not that long ago.  Yes, alone…radiation may be a temporary fix.  However, followed rapidly with immunotherapy and even targeted therapy (within 4 weeks is best…there are many reports regarding the safety and benefit of the combination on my blog)…the results are much, much, better than radition alone.  Think President Jimmy Carter….and ME…and many others!  Had had one brain tumor zapped in April 2010.  Finally got into an Opdivo trial in December (cause that was back in the day and anti-PD1 was just being studied!!!) and another small brain tumor was found…but by 3 month re-scan it was gone….AND…brain tumors have yet to recur.  So…despite the horror that is melanoma….it is not ALL doom and gloom…even for those of us with holey heads!!!  Get systemic therapy going as soon as you can!  yours, c

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