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Q:	My best friend is 14 and she had surgery last year to have a brain tumor removed. She still has a little bit of the tumor because it is on the brain stem and it would be dangerous to her health if it were removed. She frequently has seizures. If these seizures continue, will it affect her permanently? How will the little bit of tumor affect her?
A:	We are sure your friend is lucky to have you as her friend. The seizures your friend is having are not damaging her brain any further. These seizures reflect the damage already done. She does have to take extra precautions to make sure she is not badly hurt when she has a seizure. For example, she should not swim without someone around who knows about her seizures and how to respond. The little bit of tumor she has left is another story. What type of tumor is it? Is it benign (grows slowly without spreading to surrounding tissues) or is it malignant (grows quickly and spreads to surrounding tissues)? If radiation or chemotherapy is indicated, how is the tumor responding to treatment? You will have to talk to your friend, her parents or her doctor to get that information. We want to thank you for your letter. We would also like to thank you for being her best friend. Our best wishes for both of you. Posted 5-22-02 Do you have a question? As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full .