Brain Tumor

[rwomack00]

Hi everyone!

Recently, I had an MRI without contrast done because I’ve constantly been having headaches/migraines, dizziness/unsteadiness, some visual issues and a few other things like memory problems that I feel a 30 yr old like myself shouldn’t be experiencing. I’ve had these issues going on for a few years. I only really paid attention to them as they’ve gotten a bit worse. My first thought was a brain tumor since the symptoms line up. The first question I have is: if I’ve had a brain tumor for a few years would it be large enough to show up on an MRI if the tech wasn’t specific looking for one? Surely, if it’s been growing for years, the dr/radiologist should’ve seen it? My results came back clear. My scan was only 12 mins which makes me question if the scan was thorough enough to rule out a tumor completely. My follow up isn’t for another three weeks and these questions are nagging me.

[agate]

Welcome, rwomack00!

If I've read your post correctly, you recently had an MRI and were told that it was normal, with no sign of a brain tumor, but you think maybe you might have a brain tumor anyway but it was missed.

We're not doctors here but I can point you to this:

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Specifically, this:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans are used most often to look for brain diseases. These scans will almost always show a brain tumor, if one is present.

However, I've had 5 brain MRIs and each of them lasted between 40 minutes and an hour if I remember right. But those were done with contrast and that may be the reason they took longer.

You might want to get a copy of the MRI report and if possible the actual MRI and take them to another doctor for a second opinion but in the meantime, I think it's fairly rare for a brain tumor to develop over years without causing more trouble than you've been having. However, it can happen.

Your symptoms can also indicate a number of other conditions. I hope that your doctor will help you to find out what is going on and help you.

[Virginia]

Hi rwomack001 and welcome to BrainTalk. Agate, gave you some good information, but some of the most important, in my opinion, is that you might want to see another Doctor for a second opinion. I will also add if this is not a Neurologist that you are seeing, I would make the second one a Neurologist for sure.

I hope you have a good outcome with this and all the symptoms just disappear. That also can happen.