Pster
01-24-2008, 12:29 PM
Now that the forums have moved I feel like I'm telling SOO many more people about things.... don't know why - it feel like there are more people here than at the other boards.... silly I guess.
Anyway - we had the appmt with the oncologist. He didn't really tell us anything new. But I guess, as another dr giving us his opinion, he reiterated what had been said before...
Basically....they can't tell what the tumor is with any real certainty unless they do a biopsy - and they can't do a biopsy without an operation. If dh is going to go that far as to have the operation - then they might as well be removing it. The oncologist also thinks it probably is a schwannomma. (FYI: since I can't describe it....
A schwannoma is a kind of tumor (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Tumor) originating from the Schwann cells (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Schwann_cell). The insulating myelin sheath (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Myelin_sheath) which covers peripheral nerves is produced by the Schwann cells. Hence, one kind of tumor originating from the Schwann cells is called a schwannoma. Schwannomas are very homogeneous tumors consisting only of Schwann cells. The tumor cells always stay on the outside of the nerve, but the tumor itself may either push the nerve aside and/or up against a bony structure (thereby possibly causing damage). Schwannomas are relatively slow growing. For reasons not yet understood, schwannomas are mostly benign (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Benign) and less than 1% become malignant
The tumor dh has is I think at his L5 or L4 vertebrae. The sciatic pain he has had is because of the tumor pressing on the nerve, those 2 discs being blown out, and a lot of inflammation in the area.
Dh has recently started having large areas of numbness in his upper thigh - the oncologist think this recent problem could be the result of the tumor growing. He also tested dh's reflexes and found a weakness or lack of reflex in his right leg (which is new). Sooooo..... since his problem seems to be getting worse in his leg - he will prob be going to Shands for surgery. We dont' want to put this off in for fear of the nerves in his leg being furthered damaged.
All that being said... I am not sure if the dr's know yet if the tumor is, say, a ball that is "next" to the nerve and is pushing on it that way - or ...if it is part of the nerve sheath and is therefore mixed in with the nerve. If it is in the nerve sheath - that is whole new big problem because then if they have to cut it out - he may lose use of his leg. So - I don't know if they'll know what they are fully dealing with until he actually has the operation. And we won't now for sure "IF" the tumor is benign until he has the operation and remove it and can then do a biopsy.
That clear as mud? I'm going to be calling Shands today to try and set up a preliminary appmt to meet with a spinal surgeon.
I really, really appreciate everyone's advice and thoughts and prayers. It has meant a lot to me. It's been a tough road - lots of ups and downs. Right now I think there is a good chance that it is benign...but every dr has said - nothing is ever for sure. So we are cautiously optimistic! Once it's time for the operation - then I can worry about something new - "where" the tumor is located. But I'll wait and see with the surgeon has to say...
:)
Anyway - we had the appmt with the oncologist. He didn't really tell us anything new. But I guess, as another dr giving us his opinion, he reiterated what had been said before...
Basically....they can't tell what the tumor is with any real certainty unless they do a biopsy - and they can't do a biopsy without an operation. If dh is going to go that far as to have the operation - then they might as well be removing it. The oncologist also thinks it probably is a schwannomma. (FYI: since I can't describe it....
A schwannoma is a kind of tumor (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Tumor) originating from the Schwann cells (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Schwann_cell). The insulating myelin sheath (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Myelin_sheath) which covers peripheral nerves is produced by the Schwann cells. Hence, one kind of tumor originating from the Schwann cells is called a schwannoma. Schwannomas are very homogeneous tumors consisting only of Schwann cells. The tumor cells always stay on the outside of the nerve, but the tumor itself may either push the nerve aside and/or up against a bony structure (thereby possibly causing damage). Schwannomas are relatively slow growing. For reasons not yet understood, schwannomas are mostly benign (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Benign) and less than 1% become malignant
The tumor dh has is I think at his L5 or L4 vertebrae. The sciatic pain he has had is because of the tumor pressing on the nerve, those 2 discs being blown out, and a lot of inflammation in the area.
Dh has recently started having large areas of numbness in his upper thigh - the oncologist think this recent problem could be the result of the tumor growing. He also tested dh's reflexes and found a weakness or lack of reflex in his right leg (which is new). Sooooo..... since his problem seems to be getting worse in his leg - he will prob be going to Shands for surgery. We dont' want to put this off in for fear of the nerves in his leg being furthered damaged.
All that being said... I am not sure if the dr's know yet if the tumor is, say, a ball that is "next" to the nerve and is pushing on it that way - or ...if it is part of the nerve sheath and is therefore mixed in with the nerve. If it is in the nerve sheath - that is whole new big problem because then if they have to cut it out - he may lose use of his leg. So - I don't know if they'll know what they are fully dealing with until he actually has the operation. And we won't now for sure "IF" the tumor is benign until he has the operation and remove it and can then do a biopsy.
That clear as mud? I'm going to be calling Shands today to try and set up a preliminary appmt to meet with a spinal surgeon.
I really, really appreciate everyone's advice and thoughts and prayers. It has meant a lot to me. It's been a tough road - lots of ups and downs. Right now I think there is a good chance that it is benign...but every dr has said - nothing is ever for sure. So we are cautiously optimistic! Once it's time for the operation - then I can worry about something new - "where" the tumor is located. But I'll wait and see with the surgeon has to say...
:)