Seizures and Brain Tumors or Lesions?

Keli - posted on 02/22/2010 ( 8 moms have responded )

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Does anyone know any stats on the probabilites of seizures and brain tumors or lesions? My 4 yr old has partial complex, secondarily generalized seizures. The first one was last fall, then Jan 27th and February 14, so 3 big ones total. They put her on tegretol but because of the most insane reaction thankfully they have taken her off and put her on Keppra. She has only been on meds for a couple weeks so I am unsure of the control of the seizures at this point. But because we have not had her MRI yet, which is scheduled for 2 wks away, I can't help but consume myself with worry that this all started because there is something wrong, such as a tumor. I am aware that the likelihood that the MRI comes back normal is higher than if it was abnormal but I can not help but find myself completey obsessed with the what ifs? this is all pretty new and is very scary to watch this happen to her. She is better with it than we are and we are good about not talking or letting her know how scary this is to us because we just want her to remain just herself without the craziness we are feeling. I realize this may sound like a weird ? but the adult inside me tells me to calm down but the mom in me is horrified with the what ifs? I can't wait to just complete the MRI then all we need to deal with after the results come back normal is just that she has seizures and that they are not caused by something as terrible as a tumor or other problem. But until March 8th I will pretty much find myself getting any and all info I can look up, unfortunately I have found no study of the probabiltiy or relationship between the 2. Does anyone know of these statistics by any chance?

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Jodi - posted on 10/08/2012

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Keli.. I know this was a few years ago now. If you're still out there somewhere, can you update us on your situation? I am currently playing this identical waiting game...MRI was on Friday and I have to wait about 7-10 days for the results. Going crazy here.

Michele - posted on 03/18/2010

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Hi! My son whom is now almost 22 years old, grew up with partial complex seizures with secondary generalization....has had several mri's and xrays, etc....brain scans included...they had him on tegretol and he did great with it, but is now on carbatrol and hasn't had any seizures. They changed his meds around puberty time. He also has other diagnosis' that makes him my special needs child/adult....mentally he is between 8 and 10 years old. Anyway, try to relax....the seizures get easier to deal with as time goes on and sometimes you will know before they even go into one. We have been dealing with them now since he was 3 months old.....Take care and good luck.....

Jaclyn - posted on 03/14/2010

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Your best bet is to start off with an MRI--that will tell if there is one there...there really is no stats-i was the 3rd in my family to get it and I was always told it wasn't hereditary but just recently found out that it is! Now the MRI I had done on long island always came back showing nothing! I went into NYC-Columbia Presbyterian Hosp and they found it on the left side of my brain!! Just an FYI for you!!! Now your talking 30yrs of Epiliepsy!!

Keli - posted on 02/25/2010

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Well oddly enough in the wait for the MRI...2 nights ago she had another. This is so overwhelming. I am not sure what I want to know anymore, I have reached the end of the internet with research and still feel as though I have no answers. I will be the first to admit I am hosting my own pity party of helplessness. I just can't sit back and watch my child lose conciencness this often. Seizures are so stinking scary and hard to watch. I am so glad my little girl is not even bothered by it. It definitely bothers us more than her. I just wish I knew the why and how on fixing it. And with Epilepsy I am not sure I will ever get that option. This is very frustrating. Thank you all for your input and I pray for each and every one us every day in that no one goes through this.

Emily - posted on 02/24/2010

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I'm not sure of the statistics.

My son had complex partial seizures as well and did have a lesion on his brain (cavernous hemangioma). Partial seizures are sometimes due to lesions like this, but not all seizures are due to lesions.. and the lesions are NOT cancerous and generally not life-threatening. My son did undergo surgery to have the lesion removed and he's now a happy, healthy little boy. I wish I knew the statistics on this.. maybe your daughter's neurologist would know? It's too bad she couldn't get in sooner for the MRI.

It is so hard not to worry.. I know exactly the fear you are dealing with.. I'm so sorry. I hope the next 2 weeks go fast for you.



Edited to add: My son still had a few seizures after the surgery, so we're still not completely sure the seizures were connected to the lesion, though they originated from the same area of the brain.

Keli - posted on 02/23/2010

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Thank you Aileen, I know I need to calm down but that is so much easier said in my mind than done in my heart for sure. Jaclyn, the MRI's are being done at MU Childrens Hospital in Columbia, MO. So Jaclyn, your seizures were found to be caused by a tumor?

Jaclyn - posted on 02/23/2010

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Keli-Where are the MRI's being done?? I had my lifetime of MRI's done on long Island and they always came back showing "nothing". I went in to NYC-Columbia Presb Hosp and they found it! let me know when you get a chance....Jaclyn

Aileen - posted on 02/22/2010

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epilepsy as a general rule is not connected to tumours. a simple explanation of epilepsy is that is like a power surge occurring in the brain. my son has been epileptic for 10 years and a recent ct scan showed no abnormalities in his brain. i hope this eases your mind