Brain Tumors

[JivinJeffJones]

Does anyone know anything about brain tumors? What are the chances of a successful operation? Symptoms to date include limited memory-loss (names, specific words) and some pain.

[lastrailway]

What exactly do you need to know? If you have been diagnosed of having a tumour, you could ask your doctor for details, he could give you the most adequate information.
There are various types of tumours, categorised depending of the cell type involved to form the tumour. It can be or a glial cell either an ependymal. Or there can be both glial and ependymal cells involved. The specific type of the cell involved and unless you know the type you cannot tell whether is benign or malignant.

The chances of a succesfull operation depend, once more, on the type of the tumour. I am not a doctor to answer to that one, but I know that in the case of a malignant tumour the chances are far lessand even worse in the case of metastasis.
I don

[Athenian200]

Is it you or someone else that might have one? The thing is, there are several kinds of tumors, as lastrailway pointed out. I think the best course of action is to tell the person in question to see their doctor, and ask if the symptoms are serious enough to merit a brain scan of some sort. It's possible that your just have something wrong below the epidermal layer, and the memory loss is a coincidence. That's why you need to ask.

[JivinJeffJones]

It's not me, it's my mom. The cancer is malignant, I don't know too much more than that, since we've only just found out. Operation soon. The symptoms came on suddenly -- over the course of a day, 2 at most. I don't know if I should drop everything and buy a ticket tomorrow, or if I have enough time to wait and see what the outcome of the operation is. I dunno how honest doctors are when informing family of probable outcomes etc. I don't know much about it, really, except that my maternal grandfather died of a brain tumor and that it wasn't a drawn-out business.

[Ivy]

I don't know anything about the medical side of things, but if it were my mom I'd go before the operation if at all possible.

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by Ivy

I don't know anything about the medical side of things, but if it were my mom I'd go before the operation if at all possible.

Ditto so sorry to hear this, I hope it's something they can help with.

[Mempy]

I'm so, so sorry. I don't know what to say. I'm just really sorry. I'm touched by your plight and my very soul goes out to you and your family.

I don't know how straightforward doctors are either; I guess it depends on the doctor. How far from your mom do you live? I would do what you want to do. I would see her if you want to see her. Is it possible to see her before they operate?

[Bushranger]

Originally Posted by JivinJeffJones

I don't know if I should drop everything and buy a ticket tomorrow, or if I have enough time to wait and see what the outcome of the operation is.

It really is something that only a doctor (probably a specialist) could advise you on. The details of any particular case can be very important.
Doctors probably try to steer clear of giving an overly optimistic or pessimistic prognosis.

I hope it turns out OK. Just do what feels right to you.

[Recluse]

Buy that ticket, if you can. Your family history sends up warning flags, and you don't have much else to go on at the moment. Operations can have unexpected complications, especially those involving the brain. Even if the operation is a success, your presence would be a comfort to her at this time.

[cafe]

Ugh! That's awful and very scary. I hope all goes well.