mets in the base of the skull

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mets in the base of the skull

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mets in the base of the skull Has anyone out here got mets in the base of the skull? I have had a stiff neck for months now, but more recently have started to feel pressure and get twinges at the base of my skull in the area behind my ears. I have had a CT scan which didn’t show up anything and then a MRI scan which didn’t show anything. However the MRI scan was only of the spine - because the oncologist only heard the bit about a stiff neck and ignored the bit about the twinges in the base of the skull - so I haven’t any confidence that. I know that this is a difficult area in which to diagnose mets, but wondered what tests others have had that would show up mets in the base of the skull if it was there. Ofcourse I would rather it wasn’t, but cannot rest for worry that it is and is being missed!

thanks

syoull

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Hi Syoull

read your post. The neck is the most used structure in the body, everytime we move it is involved even when we sleep. By doing an MRI to the spine, the neck would have been included. The pressure and twinges that you feel behind your ears are more likely to be referred pain from the neck. If the pain was caused by mets, they would be extensive and would show on scan. Mets to cause that kind of pain would be well developed. You are still going through chemo? My oncologist told me that mets are very rare while under going chemo and that in 15 years she had only come across two cases.
It is more likely tenison, strain and worry. Phone up your BC nurse and ask for a referral to physio and why not try some deep tissue massage.

Take care

Love Geraldine

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Hi syoull,

yes I do have mets in my skull - I also originally had a lot of lumps in my neck and below my jaw where it meets the ears but that is what caused the stiffness there. I also had the pressure and tenderness behind my ears - in fact head on pillow at night was a problem - it was very tender. My mets were dx on a bone scan. But this was nearly 5 years ago now and with bisphosphonates I am doing very well. So it may be an idea to talk to your oncologist about your fears and ask if you can have a bone scan to set your mind at rest.

lol Dawnhc