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how do they diagnose brain mets?
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how do they diagnose brain mets?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › how do they diagnose brain mets?

  • Post
    • May 2, 2012 at 9:33 pm
    triciad
    Participant

      Hi Everyone,

      Just a quick question…what makes an oncologist look for brain mets?  Is there anything that shows up in the blood?  I've been sent for a brain MRI, so I'm just wondering if he saw something that he didn't tell me.

      Thanks for any help about this.

      As always…continue the fight!

      Tricia

      Hi Everyone,

      Just a quick question…what makes an oncologist look for brain mets?  Is there anything that shows up in the blood?  I've been sent for a brain MRI, so I'm just wondering if he saw something that he didn't tell me.

      Thanks for any help about this.

      As always…continue the fight!

      Tricia

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 2, 2012 at 11:03 pm
        Kathy of Massachusetts
        Participant
          i had a seizure in my left arm that caused a brain MRI to be requested. This was nearly 3 yes out from the initial stage 1 B diagnosis in 2008. I always tell all my dr regardless of reason for my visit about my Melanoma history. If I had not who knows how long would it have taken to find these lesions. And get after them last July 2011. They biopsies lesion in with the ct done on my liver confirming melanoma mets and status of BRAF positive.

          Kathy

          • May 2, 2012 at 11:03 pm
          Kathy of Massachusetts
          Participant
            i had a seizure in my left arm that caused a brain MRI to be requested. This was nearly 3 yes out from the initial stage 1 B diagnosis in 2008. I always tell all my dr regardless of reason for my visit about my Melanoma history. If I had not who knows how long would it have taken to find these lesions. And get after them last July 2011. They biopsies lesion in with the ct done on my liver confirming melanoma mets and status of BRAF positive.

            Kathy

            • May 2, 2012 at 11:03 pm
            Kathy of Massachusetts
            Participant
              i had a seizure in my left arm that caused a brain MRI to be requested. This was nearly 3 yes out from the initial stage 1 B diagnosis in 2008. I always tell all my dr regardless of reason for my visit about my Melanoma history. If I had not who knows how long would it have taken to find these lesions. And get after them last July 2011. They biopsies lesion in with the ct done on my liver confirming melanoma mets and status of BRAF positive.

              Kathy

              • May 2, 2012 at 11:05 pm
              Karin L
              Participant

                Did you have a PET/CT?  (the brain in included and if it showed anything questionable they would want an MRI).  Did you question/complain of any symptoms during a visit?  (I know when I had ear ringing they sent me for a brain MRI and when I got neuropathy I was sent again for another brain MRI).  Unless it is for a baseline?

                Karin

                • May 2, 2012 at 11:05 pm
                Karin L
                Participant

                  Did you have a PET/CT?  (the brain in included and if it showed anything questionable they would want an MRI).  Did you question/complain of any symptoms during a visit?  (I know when I had ear ringing they sent me for a brain MRI and when I got neuropathy I was sent again for another brain MRI).  Unless it is for a baseline?

                  Karin

                  • May 2, 2012 at 11:05 pm
                  Karin L
                  Participant

                    Did you have a PET/CT?  (the brain in included and if it showed anything questionable they would want an MRI).  Did you question/complain of any symptoms during a visit?  (I know when I had ear ringing they sent me for a brain MRI and when I got neuropathy I was sent again for another brain MRI).  Unless it is for a baseline?

                    Karin

                    • May 2, 2012 at 11:27 pm
                    lhaley
                    Participant

                      I saw in your last post that you had a new tumor.  Many Doctors will order an MRI when you have a new spot if you haven't had one recently.  Often doing a baseline if you have a problem in the future.

                      My brain met was found when I called my oncologist and described my tooth ache.  Ended up that 7 months later when I finally was off of the steroids we discovered I did need a root canal that they ended up pulling the tooth.  Since the tumor was bleeding within just a few days it's a good thing I did have that toothache!

                      Don't freak out that your oncologist ordered the mri, most likely being proactive. When you get your all clear scan you will breathe so much better!

                      Linda

                      • May 2, 2012 at 11:27 pm
                      lhaley
                      Participant

                        I saw in your last post that you had a new tumor.  Many Doctors will order an MRI when you have a new spot if you haven't had one recently.  Often doing a baseline if you have a problem in the future.

                        My brain met was found when I called my oncologist and described my tooth ache.  Ended up that 7 months later when I finally was off of the steroids we discovered I did need a root canal that they ended up pulling the tooth.  Since the tumor was bleeding within just a few days it's a good thing I did have that toothache!

                        Don't freak out that your oncologist ordered the mri, most likely being proactive. When you get your all clear scan you will breathe so much better!

                        Linda

                        • May 2, 2012 at 11:27 pm
                        lhaley
                        Participant

                          I saw in your last post that you had a new tumor.  Many Doctors will order an MRI when you have a new spot if you haven't had one recently.  Often doing a baseline if you have a problem in the future.

                          My brain met was found when I called my oncologist and described my tooth ache.  Ended up that 7 months later when I finally was off of the steroids we discovered I did need a root canal that they ended up pulling the tooth.  Since the tumor was bleeding within just a few days it's a good thing I did have that toothache!

                          Don't freak out that your oncologist ordered the mri, most likely being proactive. When you get your all clear scan you will breathe so much better!

                          Linda

                          • May 3, 2012 at 10:33 am
                          triciad
                          Participant

                            Thanks girls!  No, I didn't complain of any symptoms…other than feeling the bump at my original site.  PET showed NOTHING!  My oncologist's PA called to tell me everything was great.  PET was clear and it was just a fatty tissue.  I just happened to have my regular check up with oncologist that afternoon.  I walked in and he said, "Oh, it's definitely melanoma>" 

                            Surgery and path says, "lymphovascular invasion," whcih means in both lymph and blood system now.  Then, few weeks after surgery, I had my check up and now he's sending me for brain MRI.

                            Many thanks to all of you for your help and wisdom.  I'll keep you posted!

                            Tricia

                            • May 3, 2012 at 10:33 am
                            triciad
                            Participant

                              Thanks girls!  No, I didn't complain of any symptoms…other than feeling the bump at my original site.  PET showed NOTHING!  My oncologist's PA called to tell me everything was great.  PET was clear and it was just a fatty tissue.  I just happened to have my regular check up with oncologist that afternoon.  I walked in and he said, "Oh, it's definitely melanoma>" 

                              Surgery and path says, "lymphovascular invasion," whcih means in both lymph and blood system now.  Then, few weeks after surgery, I had my check up and now he's sending me for brain MRI.

                              Many thanks to all of you for your help and wisdom.  I'll keep you posted!

                              Tricia

                              • May 3, 2012 at 10:33 am
                              triciad
                              Participant

                                Thanks girls!  No, I didn't complain of any symptoms…other than feeling the bump at my original site.  PET showed NOTHING!  My oncologist's PA called to tell me everything was great.  PET was clear and it was just a fatty tissue.  I just happened to have my regular check up with oncologist that afternoon.  I walked in and he said, "Oh, it's definitely melanoma>" 

                                Surgery and path says, "lymphovascular invasion," whcih means in both lymph and blood system now.  Then, few weeks after surgery, I had my check up and now he's sending me for brain MRI.

                                Many thanks to all of you for your help and wisdom.  I'll keep you posted!

                                Tricia

                            Viewing 11 reply threads
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