Skull bone tumour - extreme dizziness

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Bellen
Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello all - I wonder if there is anyone on this site that has been diagnosed with a tumour in the skull bone.   I have CRC with liver mets and currently post on the CRC site.  I am having a biopsy on a skull bone tumour that I have in behind my ear.  It was diagnosed through a brain scan due to feeling a little off balance.  This was about a month ago, and in the past days I have been extremely dizzy, have ear pressure, some earache.  i am trying to find some relief for the dizziness - not sure if I also have vertigo, but think that the tumour could be pushing on a nerve (or other) that causes such dizziness - really can't walk independently right now. Very disabling.  Would appreciate any response, suggestions, or input while I am waiting for diagnosis.  Thanking you in advance.

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  • Peneloppe
    Peneloppe Member Posts: 28
    #2
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    Did they mention

    Did they mention nasopharyngeal cancer or NPC.  It is a type of cancer that is located in the nasopharynx which is at the base of the skull.

    my husband symptoms were earaches, fullness in the ear and dizziness.

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    #3
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    Bellen

    It seems that the tumour located in the skull bone generates all the symptoms described. So best is to get rid of the tumor. Aside treatment for CRC – which I don’t know what you have – ask if local radiation (stereotactic) can provide relief.

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    #4
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    Skull tumour spread of CRC

    The skull bone tumour is the same as in my liver and CRC - it is a spread of the CRC - adenocarcinoma.  Had biopsy done and still healing - feeling pretty bad, so doing a lot of resting (very tired) and healing.  I am not sure of next step - possibly chemo.  The thing I worry about radiation is the damage to the nerves to the eye, mouth, chewing, etc, especially after had biopsy done,  I am currently dealing with Bell's Palsy type symptoms. Can't close my eyelid independently, eyes very sore, mouth numbness on one side.  It has been very upsetting, as I sure didn't need these added problems.   Will let you know what my next option might be.

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    #5
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    Peneloppe - symptoms

    Hello - I have the same symptoms that your husband had.  They are quite disabling.  My tumour is in the skull bone near the ear.  Sometimes, I feel like my head is going to explode - there is so much pressure. That comes and goes, but the pressure is always there. Also affects my hearing in that ear.  Was your husband able to have the tumour removed?  I don't think mine can be, because it might cause so many side effects with all the blood vessels, muscles, nerves that might be affected.  Really feel in limbo right now.

  • Peneloppe
    Peneloppe Member Posts: 28
    #6
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    Bellen said:

    Peneloppe - symptoms

    Hello - I have the same symptoms that your husband had.  They are quite disabling.  My tumour is in the skull bone near the ear.  Sometimes, I feel like my head is going to explode - there is so much pressure. That comes and goes, but the pressure is always there. Also affects my hearing in that ear.  Was your husband able to have the tumour removed?  I don't think mine can be, because it might cause so many side effects with all the blood vessels, muscles, nerves that might be affected.  Really feel in limbo right now.

    Hi,  nasopharyngeal cancer is

    Hi,  nasopharyngeal cancer is usually inoperable due to its location at the base of the skull and the complex structure.   He underwent chemoradiotherapy, meaning radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the same time.   This way the chemo and radio work together for a more potent treatment, it is not an easy treatment.  It was 35 radiotherapy and 6 chemotherapy, over a period of 6 1/2 weeks.  

     

    The treatments took care of 50% of the cancer, now waiting for more control tests to see what they will do next.

     

    wishing you the best

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    #7
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    Bellen said:

    Skull tumour spread of CRC

    The skull bone tumour is the same as in my liver and CRC - it is a spread of the CRC - adenocarcinoma.  Had biopsy done and still healing - feeling pretty bad, so doing a lot of resting (very tired) and healing.  I am not sure of next step - possibly chemo.  The thing I worry about radiation is the damage to the nerves to the eye, mouth, chewing, etc, especially after had biopsy done,  I am currently dealing with Bell's Palsy type symptoms. Can't close my eyelid independently, eyes very sore, mouth numbness on one side.  It has been very upsetting, as I sure didn't need these added problems.   Will let you know what my next option might be.

    Radiation

    I am talking about stereotactic radiosurgery – which does not imply surgery, but it’s precisely focused radiation beams to treat smaller tumors. It uses 3-D imaging to target high doses of radiation to the affected area with minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissue.

     

    Edit - Also, about treatment. Depending on what type of CRC (you may know that, or ask your doctor); if it’s MSI-High – it can respond to immunotherapy. 

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    #8
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    Tumour - inoperable

    Hi Peneloppe - I believe, due to the location of my tumour, it also is inoperable. Also, it is quite large.  At my last appt, panitumumab was mentioned.  Right now, I have so many crappy symptoms right now that I can't imagine having any treatment done - I'm pretty much homebound with the head pressure, Bell's Palsy symptoms, sore eyes, etc.  I really have to be feeling better before I can get my head around further treatment.  Thank you for all of your input.  Wishing you all well.

  • Peneloppe
    Peneloppe Member Posts: 28
    #9
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    Bellen said:

    Peneloppe - symptoms

    Hello - I have the same symptoms that your husband had.  They are quite disabling.  My tumour is in the skull bone near the ear.  Sometimes, I feel like my head is going to explode - there is so much pressure. That comes and goes, but the pressure is always there. Also affects my hearing in that ear.  Was your husband able to have the tumour removed?  I don't think mine can be, because it might cause so many side effects with all the blood vessels, muscles, nerves that might be affected.  Really feel in limbo right now.

    Surgery

    hi, no surgery for him or anyone with nasopharingeal tumor.  It is located at the base of the skull in the nasopharynx. Same risks as what you described.

    it was treated with very precise radiotherapy and cocommitant chemiotherapy of cysplatin.   One of the only symptom he had prior to his diagnosis  was hearing loss and headaches.   The radiation did not cause damage to his eyes, but the cysplatin is known to cause deafness, he already had some issues it made it a little worse.

    the radiotherapy was done while they were doing a ctscan and was adjusted each time depending on the size of the tumor on that specific session.  He had 35 sessions for a period if 6.5 weeks one session a day 5 days a week.

    he lost his hair in the back of his head, it is now growing back.  No beard on half of his face that is quick for him to shave :0).  He had burnt skin in the region that looked worse than what it was, he had cream for it and it healed very fast.

    inoperable by no mean means untreatable, different way of controlling tumor.

     

    best of luck

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