Hi Dr. Landolfi;
Here is the next question from the group. First though, I want to pass on the sincere "thanks" expressed by many of the group members for your assistance.
When looking at an MRI that includes ependymoma tumors, is it possible for the tumors to show up , but be dead from other courses of treatment? Will living tumors always highlight from contrast? Is it possible that dead tumors could light up from contrast?
Thank you (as always)
Bruce
The doctor's response...
We can see tumors whether they "light up" with contrast or not. Although the cells are alive, contrast usually means active growth or change. Specifically contrast seeps thru a disruption in the blood-brain barrier caused by a tumor. Other things light up as well, like abcesses. If someone has been treated and we are trying to distinguish between active tumor and radiation necrosis (dead cells), we typically use an MRI spectroscopy (looks at chemical makeup of lesion) or PET (looks at metabolism) as both can enhance on an MRI.
Dr. Landolfi