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This part of The Meningioma Project site will focus on frequently asked questions and helpful information related to meningioma. It is our goal to make this section as dynamic as possible as we learn new information that would be helpful to patients and their families as well as to members of the medical community.
We are currently preparing a list of meningioma-specific FAQs. While there are no shortage of questions, providing accurate, thoughtful responses to some of these questions can be challenging as access to comprehensive, accurate statistics about certain aspects of meningioma such as incidence or recurrence rates is limited or not yet available. This situation should improve in the next several years as data collected in all 50 states (through the Benign Brain Tumors Cancer Registry Amendment Act- effective January 1, 2004) is incorporated with other epidemiological information.
It is our goal to have these pages be a reliable source of the best available data and information with user-friendly explanation and interpretation. While this list is being worked on, Meningioma Mommas has kindly offered for us to share a list that they have perfected over the past few years with the help of many of their “Momma and Poppa” members to help patients as they navigate their own meningioma experience.
A Helpful List of Questions to Ask Your Neurosurgeon & Neurologist
1. What are the pros and cons of having the surgery or not having surgery?
2. Are there alternatives to surgery -- radiation, chemo, Cyber Knife, Gamma Knife?
3. Who would you recommend for a second opinion regarding my condition?
4. If I was your spouse or child, what would you do?
5. What are the risks and/or side effects of surgery?
6. What types of residual problems may occur due to the surgery?
7. How many of this exact type of surgery have you performed? Can I talk to any of your other patients?
8. What follow-up medication/treatment will I need and for how long?
9. What are some of the emotional issues associated with my condition and treatment? Will I need to see a neurologist (seizures) and/or a neuropsychologist or a counselor?
10. Approximately how long will the surgery last?
11. Expected length of ICU stay?
12. Expected length of hospital stay?
13. Is an arteriogram or embolization needed, and why?
14. Will there be blood loss, and should I bank blood in advance in case of transfusion?
15. What do the surgeon and the nurse recommend to get the patient in the best condition pre-op?
16. Where will the incision be and will my head be shaved?
17. What type of medication will I be on after surgery, and possibly long-term?
18. Before surgery, what medications can still be taken, including vitamins or health supplements?
19. After surgery, what are the warning signs for infection or complications as opposed to normal recovery symptoms?
20. Which doctor will I see for follow up? Is there more than one doctor involved?
21. Clear instructions on how to look after wounds. If physical defects are involved, what is the plan of action?
22. This is a question for the anesthesiologist -- can you prescribe anti-anxiety medication that may be taken prior to the surgery?
23. What will you be replacing the dura with? (If you care about such details)
24. When can I color my hair again? (I know this is sounds vain, but this is one of the most commonly asked questions by our members.)
25. Ask your NS what his/her travel plans are immediately following your surgery. Make SURE that he/she is not leaving on a two-week vacation the day after your surgery.
26. Take the time to write out your complete medical history with dates (including hospitalizations, etc. and all the typical answers that every doctor needs to know). Include family medical history for parents/grandparents/siblings (i.e. heart disease, stroke, hypertension, etc.)
27. This is a list of medications I am presently taking. Should I continue with them? (Another momma shares that she wasn't told by her NS to discontinue HRT. She found out 4 months after surgery that she shouldn't be taking it.)
28. Will I have my own room?
39. Will there be any driving restrictions -- especially important to know if you had seizures prior to surgery (and if you will be on AED's post-op) and if there are driving restrictions in your state. Www.epilepsyfoundation.org is an EXCELLENT resource.
