Brain MRI Question

If symptomatic, absolutely.

If initially now stage IV, usually an MRI is done to establish a baseline and to help qualify for clinical trials with brain met exculsions.  The best brain scan is done with IV contrast (gadolinium) and with as high a tesla machine you can get.  The greater the magnet strength, the finer detail / smaller tumors can be found.

My scans are done on a 3T machine.  I have to remember to ask if they are going to scan me with that versus the 1.5T machine.  On one scan they forgot.

After that, it depends on you and your doc.  Personally brain mets scare the %^#%@! outta me and I want to find them early and often should they arise.  By the time you have symptoms, they generally are numerous, growing fast, or are large / bleeding.  It depends on how aggressive your disease is as well.  Mine was indolent.  There isn't a set schedule for stage IV as the disease is unique in its behaviour for everyone.

I have been NED for over 3.5 years and only do a brain MRI annually now.  If I were to have any suspicious symptoms though, it would trigger a scan.  This long out from IL-2 though, my oncs are getting comfortable I will continue to have a durable remission.  Me too.

Best of luck,

KK

If symptomatic, absolutely.

If initially now stage IV, usually an MRI is done to establish a baseline and to help qualify for clinical trials with brain met exculsions.  The best brain scan is done with IV contrast (gadolinium) and with as high a tesla machine you can get.  The greater the magnet strength, the finer detail / smaller tumors can be found.

My scans are done on a 3T machine.  I have to remember to ask if they are going to scan me with that versus the 1.5T machine.  On one scan they forgot.

After that, it depends on you and your doc.  Personally brain mets scare the %^#%@! outta me and I want to find them early and often should they arise.  By the time you have symptoms, they generally are numerous, growing fast, or are large / bleeding.  It depends on how aggressive your disease is as well.  Mine was indolent.  There isn't a set schedule for stage IV as the disease is unique in its behaviour for everyone.

I have been NED for over 3.5 years and only do a brain MRI annually now.  If I were to have any suspicious symptoms though, it would trigger a scan.  This long out from IL-2 though, my oncs are getting comfortable I will continue to have a durable remission.  Me too.

Best of luck,

KK

If symptomatic, absolutely.

If initially now stage IV, usually an MRI is done to establish a baseline and to help qualify for clinical trials with brain met exculsions.  The best brain scan is done with IV contrast (gadolinium) and with as high a tesla machine you can get.  The greater the magnet strength, the finer detail / smaller tumors can be found.

My scans are done on a 3T machine.  I have to remember to ask if they are going to scan me with that versus the 1.5T machine.  On one scan they forgot.

After that, it depends on you and your doc.  Personally brain mets scare the %^#%@! outta me and I want to find them early and often should they arise.  By the time you have symptoms, they generally are numerous, growing fast, or are large / bleeding.  It depends on how aggressive your disease is as well.  Mine was indolent.  There isn't a set schedule for stage IV as the disease is unique in its behaviour for everyone.

I have been NED for over 3.5 years and only do a brain MRI annually now.  If I were to have any suspicious symptoms though, it would trigger a scan.  This long out from IL-2 though, my oncs are getting comfortable I will continue to have a durable remission.  Me too.

Best of luck,

KK

So is a 1.5T open MRI without contrast of *any* use in looking for micromets?

So is a 1.5T open MRI without contrast of *any* use in looking for micromets?

So is a 1.5T open MRI without contrast of *any* use in looking for micromets?

I think in most cases, one will be done to establish baseline, and as part of initial staging. I remember when I had my first distant met, and I was all relieved when my PET was clear… then the Dr said we would have to do a brain MRI to be certain. ugh!! It was clear, but sure caused some apprehension on my part. So, yes… I would say it is pretty normal protocol.

Tina

I think in most cases, one will be done to establish baseline, and as part of initial staging. I remember when I had my first distant met, and I was all relieved when my PET was clear… then the Dr said we would have to do a brain MRI to be certain. ugh!! It was clear, but sure caused some apprehension on my part. So, yes… I would say it is pretty normal protocol.

Tina

I think in most cases, one will be done to establish baseline, and as part of initial staging. I remember when I had my first distant met, and I was all relieved when my PET was clear… then the Dr said we would have to do a brain MRI to be certain. ugh!! It was clear, but sure caused some apprehension on my part. So, yes… I would say it is pretty normal protocol.

Tina

hi Nancy —

I had an MRI of my brain when I was diagnosed with stage IV — even though I had no neurological symptoms. (I then had another one four weeks later when I was entering a clinical trial, because it was an exclusion criteria…) 

hi Nancy —

I had an MRI of my brain when I was diagnosed with stage IV — even though I had no neurological symptoms. (I then had another one four weeks later when I was entering a clinical trial, because it was an exclusion criteria…) 

hi Nancy —

I had an MRI of my brain when I was diagnosed with stage IV — even though I had no neurological symptoms. (I then had another one four weeks later when I was entering a clinical trial, because it was an exclusion criteria…)