necrosis ??????

hi everyone

can someone please explain (in simple terms!) necrosis?

does it occur as a result of radiation? / does everyone get it to one degree or another? / is it a serious complication and is there any treatment for it?

sorry if this has been discussed before - is there another thread somewhere?

thanks very much and

best wishes to all

carla (sister has gbm4)

Hi Carla,   I am sorry for your sisters diagnosis,  I am a 20 year survivor of GBMIV.  I had necrosis problems 2 years after my diagnosis.  It was my understanding it was dead burnt up tumor cells from radiation.  I believe the brain absorbs some but it often has to be removed surgically.  Mine caused swelling and was removed.  I hope all is good for your sister.  kathleen 

just like kat said it is dead tumor cells from mostly radiation and because there is very limited flow in the brain, the dead cells that dont get flushed out sit there and can cause alot of problems. one of the bad things about necrosis is its hard to tell if its tumor growth or not from reading an MRI. they will do surgery to remove it if they can get to it or if the possible rewards outweigh the risk. there are a few people on this board that have had a real tough go with necrosis and some even explain that the necrosis can have worse symptoms than the tumor itself but for most it seems not to be as bad

matt

Good answers from our friends. I also remember being told that one of my chemo combinations would deal with whatever was inside my head after surgery, radiation, gamma knife surgery. Which actually got rid of more than 50% of whatever it was tumor, necrosis- from  surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. My NO still not sure if whatever it was and is still left is tumor or necrosis.

thanks so much for your replies guys - i have a better understanding now

apparently some necrosis was noted on my sister's first mri following completion of the 6 week radio/chemo treatment on her inoperable tumour

not sure how it'll be dealt with - don't want to probe sis at the moment as she's feeling low 

take care everyone and look after yourselves

carla