Carla,

Have you had an MRI yet? CTs with contrast are ok, but brain MRIs are the best for seeing what's what...especially with triple contrast and thinner sliced pictures. However, that kind has been reserved for just prior to my two SRS procedures. Otherwise, all my brain mets dx's have been made using MRI, and not CT scans.

One of the reasons I ask, is the number and size may be different with the MRI. I am not totally positive on this, but the 7cm could include edema, so the size of that one MAY be a little smaller....

My tumor markers are good for indicating my body mets...but have never picked up my brain mets. And we don't know why....just "is".

Your anger is rightous. That is why I encourage gals with mets to have symptoms of possible brain mets anyway. A few "symptoms" that last over two weeks time, IF their docs do not 'think' brain mets may be present.... It happens all too often, that we HAVE BRAIN METS without having the 'typical' symptoms of nausea, vomiting, seizures, unbalanced gait....

Decadron is a 'blessing' for severe brain mets symptoms, yet carries with it 'drug from hell' status with it's own set of horrid symptoms... You should have been prescribed something for your stomach at the SAME TIME... And if you find yourself sleep deprived from the insomnia, you may want to demand something to help you get to, and stay asleep.... The other side effects can't be managed as far as I know. I had constant dizziness, extreme bloating with new stretch marks, facial bloating, reddening of face, neck, upper chest accompanied by severe burning feeling, eventual muscle weakness...

I have growth obvious to 3 brain mets & some edema, with an additional 3 showing up now. I have had two Stereotactic Radiosurgeries, without any Whole Brain Radiation by my choice. Have begun taking Temodar, today is my last day of first tx cycle...

And tomorrow I see my rad onc/brain man to discuss possible third SRS procedure, or more hopefully, Fractionated Stereortactic procedure. These procedures are similar to Cyber-knife, Gamma knife, but use a different technique/machine.

My first dx with brain mets was 14 mos ago. I am NED in body from a successful tx of Navelbine/Herceptin a yr ago last month.

My March MRI showed 16 new lesions all very small. I had 5 treated then, keeping an eye on the rest....that is why I personally don't believe I have any 'new' ones...just that they have grown enough to show up on the normal MRI..but given a triple contrast MRI they would all show up again, with some growth to all....

Just some stuff to let you know you are not alone with your fears and questions surrounding brain mets...

many very big hugs,
pattyz