brain metastases
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brain metastases

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › brain metastases

  • Post
    • October 15, 2018 at 9:36 pm
    smiller
    Participant

      Can someone tell me the early symptoms if stage 4 melanoma has spread to the brain?

      Thank you,

      Jim's wife

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    • Replies
        • October 15, 2018 at 10:15 pm
        doragsda
        Participant

          It's really dependent on the part of the brain affected.    My wife had a tumor in her cerebellum that caused vertigo and nausea.   She had a smaller one in her left temporal lobe that caused no symptoms.   The list is large but:   changes to eyesight, cognitive changes, problems with speech, problems with coordination, dizziness, nausea.   If a person is a melanoma patient and has any CNS symptoms, they usually will immediately do a brain MRI to assess if anything is going on there.  

          • October 15, 2018 at 10:37 pm
          Mat.in.Brooklyn
          Participant

            Hi there. I was diagnosed with Stage IV brain mets in December 2017. I had no symptoms, just a lymph node in my underarm that was swollen and, after growing, was biopsied and showed melanoma. Further testing revealed 4 brain mets. I don't think you will necessarily find a definitive answer. If you are concerned, you should find a melanoma specialist to address whatever symptoms Jim is experiencing. Wishing you the best, Mat.

              • October 16, 2018 at 2:11 pm
              smiller
              Participant

                Thanks for you reply.  After having to stop Opdivo/Yervoy after three treaments (June 2017) all scans are still showing tumors are shrinking. All labs look good.  Last scan was just last month.  The past two weeks he has been having headaches and throwing up a few times. But some days all seems well and there are no issues at all.  Next scan is scheduled for late December but it will not be a scan of the brain.  He has only had one brain scan and that was when he was first diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in February 2017 and it was clean.  Just wondering if scan should be moved up and also include brain scan.  If headaches were daily I wouldn't question it, but with them just being occasionaly we are not sure what to do.

                Thanks for any advice!

                Jim's wife

                • October 16, 2018 at 2:57 pm
                doragsda
                Participant

                  Is he seeing a melanoma specialist and have you brought the headaches and nausea to the attention of the oncologist?   It seems to me that a MRI of the brain would be a good idea since he is already stage 4 and is having these symptoms.   I would push for it if I were you.   It's very possible that it is something else, but it would be a good idea to rule out any possible progression.

                  • October 16, 2018 at 3:32 pm
                  smiller
                  Participant

                    Thanks for your reply.

                     Yes he is seeing a melanoma specialist.   I will see if he will call and schedule.

                  • October 17, 2018 at 7:12 pm
                  MovingOn
                  Participant

                    If you call your oncologists office and tell them about the symptoms they will certainly schedule a brain MRI quickly. Once a doctor knows about something they almost are required to do something about it. I had headaches last year and every time I mentioned them to my oncologist she ordered an MRI.

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