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Brain met question
Here's a question for all you brain mets ladies (and gents, too. That means you Ed).
I'd like your input on tumor size, since that's one of the main considerations in deciding on either surgery or stereotatic radiosurgery for a brain met. Location and number of nodules are other considerations.
I'm in a dilemma. Today I spoke to a neurosurgeon who recommended surgery followed by radiation to the tumor bed. The reason is the size of my tumor. Although it's not large, it isn't small either, measuring 1.8 x 2.6 cms.
According to an article that Joe posted here on managing brain mets, the cut-off point for SRS is 3.0 cms, and the surgeon said the same.
The tumor is in a "good" location.
What has your experience been with the size of your tumor if it was located in a good spot (one that's easy to get to and not in a functional area).
I'm seeing the SRS guy tomorrow.
Thanks.
Joan
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Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
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