Mass found during MRI

[KimH]

Hi Everyone,

A week ago I would not have imagined i'd be posting on a forum like this.  I've had some recurrent lower back issues during the past 10 years, mostly some spasms and sciatica on my right side every 2-3 years. three weeks ago I started having a flare up which made sleep difficult, eventually worsened to the point I felt I needed pain meds, so I saw my primary care physician.  By that time I had numbness in right thigh.  My PCP ordered an MRI, and I received the results on Wednesday.  They found a mass measuring 9.1 x 18.8 x 11.7 mm in the foramen between L2-L3. Radiologist impression is likely nerve sheath tumor.  I will be following up with another MRI, this time with contrast, and then I suppose I will be seeing a neurologist if this is confirmed.

I'm hoping for a bit of general advice - what can I expect, any recommendations on how to approach this process?  I am, of course, worried about what this will mean in terms of my comfort, health and longevity.

Appreciate any feedback those with experience have to offer.

Kim

[dmdgood]

Dear Kim. I'm a newby myself having only had my lesion discovered in January this year. Mine's high up in the cervical spine, between the spine and brainstem. I know how devastating this kind of finding can be. It has certainly turned my world upside down. Wheras with every other ailment I thought that I could shake it off with more or less exercise, stretching or rest, with this I realised that it's much bigger than that. It also joined the dots on a lot of symptoms that I had over the years that I just shrugged off. Not knowing what to expect is also really hard, and this information is hard to get except for reading the experiences of others. That's where this forum helps. It's stopped me from going into a panic when a new symptom comes up. And for me, they've come. Some have gone, and some have stayed. I'm still waiting to see what my thing is before deciding on treatment. That's a big decision too, but I'll deal with that when I'm there, there's still a way to go right now of finding out what it is and what it's doing. What you need right now is to make sure you have the right person (neurosurgeon) to help you as best as possible with the diagnosis, and then with surgery if you have to have it. This is not easy in this field I've found due to the rarity of SCTs. Someone on this forum gave me the advice of "Be strong and be brave, it is our only option." I'll pass on that gem to you. Keep us posted on how you go with the diagnosis.

[Kim H]

Thanks much for your reply. I've already learned quite a bit by reading the threads here. There is much wisdom to be shared. I'm just taking this one day at a time, it looks that in most cases, there is time to decide what action, if any, needs to be taken. No need to rush or feel hurried.

I appreciate your advice and wish you well!

Kim

[Nina]

Had surgery to remove a T8 tumor that was crushing my cord I have another at the T 12 that is crippling me for the last eight years. The first surgery went quite well some good improvements but now I have to deal with that T12 that is collapsing my spine cannot stand straight at all without trying to collapse again and again I am nowhaving difficulty breathing as I move which is not very good I have neck issues because I have a back curvature at the tumor site my advice to those with tumors they will grow and they will paralyze you in timeI have had these tumors in my body for at least 10 years you must be brave because the alternative is not an option don't wait till you can't movedon't wait till you can't walk don't wait till you are crippled. Doctors have to deal with the insurance companies you must be in agonizing pain for the insurance company to approve tumor removal be smart address your concerns and push for removal if it can be. I now have a curve in my spine at the T12 area where the tumor is it is a nerve sheath that is growing into the vertebraeGod be with all getyour tumors out

[littlesister]

Hi Kim H. I had my tumor in the same location. I hope you are well. The best piece of advise I got here was to be choosey about who does the surgery. Keep doing your homework. What side of the country do you live on? I actually traveled across the state to have surgery in Seattle at Swedish Neuroscience. Keep us posted.

[italianbeef]

Laser-assisted microsurgical resection of thoracic intramedullary spinal cord ependymoma. I have been diagnosed with an ependymoma at T4 level. After watching this video he makes it look easy. What should the patient expect after a successful surgery like this? I'm reading mostly stories about pain weird sensations numbness etc. www.youtube.com/watch?v=itE2tuBFmgw