How fast can brain mets grow?
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How fast can brain mets grow?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › How fast can brain mets grow?

  • Post
    • January 4, 2012 at 1:53 am
    benp
    Participant

    Hi, 

     

    Having quite a bit of scan-xiety today. Had my last brain MRI/CT around a month ago, next one is early next week. I have been having a very dull, though noticable constant headaches for the last few days. Does any one have any insight into exactly how quickly brain mets could double in volume?

    Thanks!

    Hi, 

     

    Having quite a bit of scan-xiety today. Had my last brain MRI/CT around a month ago, next one is early next week. I have been having a very dull, though noticable constant headaches for the last few days. Does any one have any insight into exactly how quickly brain mets could double in volume?

    Thanks!

Viewing 11 reply threads
  • Replies
      • January 4, 2012 at 2:09 am
      lhaley
      Participant

      You didn't say if you have had a brain met with the last scan.  

      I was so afraid today when I had my last mri and thought of having double vision. It was edema and the tumor is still shrinking.  On the otherside I fb with someone who had a bad headache and speech issues.  He ended up with a huge brain tumor that they could not get it to stop bleeding.  His surgery was last night and he is doing well.

      Each person has a different story but you do need to give more info.

      Good luck,

      Linda

      • January 4, 2012 at 2:09 am
      lhaley
      Participant

      You didn't say if you have had a brain met with the last scan.  

      I was so afraid today when I had my last mri and thought of having double vision. It was edema and the tumor is still shrinking.  On the otherside I fb with someone who had a bad headache and speech issues.  He ended up with a huge brain tumor that they could not get it to stop bleeding.  His surgery was last night and he is doing well.

      Each person has a different story but you do need to give more info.

      Good luck,

      Linda

      • January 4, 2012 at 2:09 am
      lhaley
      Participant

      You didn't say if you have had a brain met with the last scan.  

      I was so afraid today when I had my last mri and thought of having double vision. It was edema and the tumor is still shrinking.  On the otherside I fb with someone who had a bad headache and speech issues.  He ended up with a huge brain tumor that they could not get it to stop bleeding.  His surgery was last night and he is doing well.

      Each person has a different story but you do need to give more info.

      Good luck,

      Linda

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:14 am
        benp
        Participant

         

        Hi Linda, 

         

        Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, I do have 4 brain mets, all approx 5mm in size. I am quite sure it is nothing, but any anwers might be useful to many people.

         

        Thanks again.

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:14 am
        benp
        Participant

         

        Hi Linda, 

         

        Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, I do have 4 brain mets, all approx 5mm in size. I am quite sure it is nothing, but any anwers might be useful to many people.

         

        Thanks again.

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:14 am
        benp
        Participant

         

        Hi Linda, 

         

        Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, I do have 4 brain mets, all approx 5mm in size. I am quite sure it is nothing, but any anwers might be useful to many people.

         

        Thanks again.

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:32 am
        jag
        Participant

        A few things affect the rate of growth of cancers.

        1.  Mitotic rate: This is how fast cells are dividing, the higher it is, the faster a tumor will grow.

        2.  Metastatic rate:  If there are a lot of metastases, the overall cell volume will increase volume and therefore pressure in the brain, 

        I wish you the best of care during this difficult time.

        John

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:32 am
        jag
        Participant

        A few things affect the rate of growth of cancers.

        1.  Mitotic rate: This is how fast cells are dividing, the higher it is, the faster a tumor will grow.

        2.  Metastatic rate:  If there are a lot of metastases, the overall cell volume will increase volume and therefore pressure in the brain, 

        I wish you the best of care during this difficult time.

        John

        • January 4, 2012 at 2:32 am
        jag
        Participant

        A few things affect the rate of growth of cancers.

        1.  Mitotic rate: This is how fast cells are dividing, the higher it is, the faster a tumor will grow.

        2.  Metastatic rate:  If there are a lot of metastases, the overall cell volume will increase volume and therefore pressure in the brain, 

        I wish you the best of care during this difficult time.

        John

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:06 am
      Lisa13
      Participant
      If you had 4 brain mets a month ago, were they gamma knifed? You didn’t say what the treatment was after your first MRI, so it’s hard to know what this next MRI is all about. If you had gamma knife, headaches can mean edema which is quite normal. Terrible headaches can also mean brain mets, so if you still have those brain mets, this could explain headaches.

      Brain mets can grow quickly but sometimes thy don’t. Several people have had 2 or more mets and they are still here beating the odds. Since your brain mets were small a month ago, ther was no reason why they couldn’t gamma knife them.

      Don’t give up. I wish you the very best.

      Lisa

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:06 am
      Lisa13
      Participant
      If you had 4 brain mets a month ago, were they gamma knifed? You didn’t say what the treatment was after your first MRI, so it’s hard to know what this next MRI is all about. If you had gamma knife, headaches can mean edema which is quite normal. Terrible headaches can also mean brain mets, so if you still have those brain mets, this could explain headaches.

      Brain mets can grow quickly but sometimes thy don’t. Several people have had 2 or more mets and they are still here beating the odds. Since your brain mets were small a month ago, ther was no reason why they couldn’t gamma knife them.

      Don’t give up. I wish you the very best.

      Lisa

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:06 am
      Lisa13
      Participant
      If you had 4 brain mets a month ago, were they gamma knifed? You didn’t say what the treatment was after your first MRI, so it’s hard to know what this next MRI is all about. If you had gamma knife, headaches can mean edema which is quite normal. Terrible headaches can also mean brain mets, so if you still have those brain mets, this could explain headaches.

      Brain mets can grow quickly but sometimes thy don’t. Several people have had 2 or more mets and they are still here beating the odds. Since your brain mets were small a month ago, ther was no reason why they couldn’t gamma knife them.

      Don’t give up. I wish you the very best.

      Lisa

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:17 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:17 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:17 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:18 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

        • January 4, 2012 at 3:30 am
        jag
        Participant

        Grady!!

        Great to hear you are still kicking some butt.  You are going to make it buddy.

        Hang in there.

        John

        • January 4, 2012 at 4:32 am
        glewis923
        Participant

        Thanks!  Must be on same brain-wave as i just noted your heroics in Lisa post.  I've got some decisions to make and would like your advice-  I'll post it t-morrow.  I'm dog-tired tonight.

        Take Care-  Grady.

        • January 4, 2012 at 4:32 am
        glewis923
        Participant

        Thanks!  Must be on same brain-wave as i just noted your heroics in Lisa post.  I've got some decisions to make and would like your advice-  I'll post it t-morrow.  I'm dog-tired tonight.

        Take Care-  Grady.

        • January 4, 2012 at 4:32 am
        glewis923
        Participant

        Thanks!  Must be on same brain-wave as i just noted your heroics in Lisa post.  I've got some decisions to make and would like your advice-  I'll post it t-morrow.  I'm dog-tired tonight.

        Take Care-  Grady.

        • January 4, 2012 at 3:30 am
        jag
        Participant

        Grady!!

        Great to hear you are still kicking some butt.  You are going to make it buddy.

        Hang in there.

        John

        • January 4, 2012 at 3:30 am
        jag
        Participant

        Grady!!

        Great to hear you are still kicking some butt.  You are going to make it buddy.

        Hang in there.

        John

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:18 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

      • January 4, 2012 at 3:18 am
      glewis923
      Participant

      Hey Anon.  Jag/John is correct, but growth rate & Vol. do not exclusively cause or not cause headaches or other associated head problems.  I have /had ?? many brain tumors-  all but 1 or 2 below 1 cm.   I started having dull headaches that became worse because the biggest tumor or necrotic area (they still aren't sure) started migrating or squeesing in 1 direction with a big edema.  The actual size of the tumor/spot didn't grow much at all, but the edema went wild in 1 direction.  Almost killed me 'cause i was too stupid to realize what was causing h-ache!  i thought it was just the after effects of SRS and WBR and nothing to worry about.  Onc. sent me for MRI ASAP the minute i told him, and probably saved my life.  Definatly get MRI ASAP…..Take Care,  Grady.

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