MRI Results Are In

Brain cancer is...

 ...getting closer monitoring.

Above you see Dr. Park studying Darrell's latest MRI.  

Specifically, he's looking for evidence of what the radiologist found:  A new, 6-mm spot in a different part of Darrell's brain that is far from the tumor site.  (The tumor was in the left frontal lobe; this new spot is in the right temporal lobe. Click here for a diagram of  the brain if you're interested.)

 Here's the relevant portion of the radiologist's impression:

Dr. Park's words to Darrell were, "I am not overly concerned, but neither can I ignore it." 

This new spot could in fact be tumor tissue, but it could be other things too like radiation necrosis (tissue death).  Typically when GBM recurs, it's in the same spot as the original tumor--not so far away.  So that's promising.

Today Dr. Park scheduled another MRI scan in four weeks, rather than waiting our typical eight weeks.  He also asked us to get Dr. Cloughesy's opinion and was open to following Dr. Cloughesy's plan if Dr. Cloughesy suggests an alternative.  We'll see Dr. Cloughesy on Monday morning.

Other types of imaging tests may be recommended by either Dr. Cloughesy or the Tumor Board at St Jude.  The Board will discuss Darrell's case next week.  Possible options for further imaging studies include a PET scan and a procedure called MRspectroscopy.

In summary, it's a "wait and see" situation.  Darrell's feeling relieved--nobody put him in the hospital today!  It's the best we could hope for given these results.  Don't worry, Team D.  It won't help, and it could very well be nothing. 

We take today as a reminder that this journey is not over.  When the going gets tough, the tough get...

 ...breakfast burritos. 

Your faith and good wishes are just incredible.  We wish you the best today.