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StephN · 10-03-2005, 07:12 PM

Hi Annemarie -
I had my usual quarterly visit with my med onc today and we covered this very topic!

Since my last brain MRI 3 months ago there is very little change in the spot where my 3cm tumor was. There is still a visible "enhancing lesion" in my left cerebellum. There is no inflammation or other noticeable characteristics consistent with active disease. Just seems to be scar tissue, as in your case, from Gamma Knife.
My med onc told me that if there were changes noticed we could do a PET scan of my brain as it actually can be a good indicator of mets getting active again.
But while the spot is stable there is no need.
Also, we had been running my CEA and this turned out to be the tumor marker produced by my brain mets that is a good indicator of an active or inactive spot. My CEA is now down to point7. I am VERY happy with this.

Hope this info helps a little.

10-03-2005, 07:12 PM	#2
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Can you get a PET of your brain? Hi Annemarie - I had my usual quarterly visit with my med onc today and we covered this very topic! Since my last brain MRI 3 months ago there is very little change in the spot where my 3cm tumor was. There is still a visible "enhancing lesion" in my left cerebellum. There is no inflammation or other noticeable characteristics consistent with active disease. Just seems to be scar tissue, as in your case, from Gamma Knife. My med onc told me that if there were changes noticed we could do a PET scan of my brain as it actually can be a good indicator of mets getting active again. But while the spot is stable there is no need. Also, we had been running my CEA and this turned out to be the tumor marker produced by my brain mets that is a good indicator of an active or inactive spot. My CEA is now down to point7. I am VERY happy with this. Hope this info helps a little.