I am trying to locate the exact area of my husband's brain tumor (diagnosed oligodendroglioma grade 2 at age 55 in 2006). The last MRI report says heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the left insula, ...slight increase in T2/FLAIR signal abnormality concistent with vasogenic edema now with extension into the mid frontal gyrus and effacing the adjacent sulcus. Could you explain what this means and tell me where the lopcation is, possibly direct me to a diagram that will show me more? We know the tumor is in a slightly different area than it was originally. He is in treatment (Temodar for the second time) for the third recurrence of his tumor. We have always been told it is in an area where surgery has not been an option. The oncologist does say he believes it is a higher grade. We think he believes it is glioblastoma but he won't say that definitely without doing another biopsy. My husband has had 27 radiation treatments, then 11 rounds of Temodar 1 1/2 years later for a recurrence of the tumor. The tumor recurred in the 11th round of the chemo and he had Gamma Knife surgery (Aug. 2009). Now the tumor has recurred a third time and they are trying Temodar again. What other treatment options would you consider at this point?
If you are in most states, you can get a copy of the MRI on CD and look at the images yourself - I look at my films all the time. Now, do remember in looking at them that blood vessels are bright etc. so a change in color is not always a factor in abnormality - so you have to know a bit of anatomy.
This is a patient forum, not a doctor one, and so I cannot suggest treatments but I would ask on the expert forum. I wish you well.