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637613 tn?1281039564

Anyone familiar with Cyber-knife treatments???

We just found out on Monday that my mother in law has a brain tumor. She has already battled 2 different types of lung cancer. This last round they said the brain would be the next place that it would travel but they thought the chemo and radiation had been enough and hadn't seen any signs for quite some time. Now they have found the tumor. She is getting more tests today. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week she will be in Salt Lake City where they are going to doing something called Cyber-knife treatments. I have read a bit about in online but was just wondering if any one has had experience with it??? Thanks.
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637613 tn?1281039564
Thank you both for all the great info. They are sending her out of state to a specialist for this treatment. The tumor seems to be a small one on the right frontal lobe. I don't really know the details at to the kind or anything yet. We are praying that this will help her. I hope all goes well for both of you and your family member as well. Thanks again. God bless...Lynn
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Avatar universal
Gamma knife is still being used - as I said they all have pros and cons. Many people like the fact that they only go once as it interferes less with their lives.

Radiation yes, is not an option for many.
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875426 tn?1325528416
My close relative had her gamma knife done in early 2002.  The necrosis seemed to happen more in the tumor itself on f/up MRIs, as desired.  She had it done by one of the people who helped pioneer Gamma Knife (and a partner dr.) at Good Samaritan Hospital in CA.

  It did seem like she got a number of bad headaches and thought maybe every time she had a lot of those, the tumor was getting smaller, since one of those times when she was having the h/as, they did a scan and it was smaller.  

They almost waited too long to do gamma knife as far as tumor size (docs), waiting for it to grow bigger, watching it with serial MRIS. It was very, very close to the optic nerve.  The surgeon wanted to do open skull, but my close relative said it was gamma knife or nothing, so he referred her.

Her father died from probably the same type of tumor, meningioma.  The docs back then thought he needed a psychiatrist.  He was passing out.  His tumor was the size of a lemon and probably been growing for years.  He was only 53.

I didn't know a lot about cyber knife but had heard it was an advance on gamma knife, supposed to be even better.  I don't know for sure though.  I am so happy that gamma knife helped my loved one.  

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Avatar universal
Cyber knife is different than gamma knife. There is also a proton beam - they are all means to use a radiation beam, but they use different types of radiation, and they have pros and cons. They have subtle differences - but they should be examined carefully - but since the machines are expensive, if hospital where you are at has one or the other, they will just say use what they have as that is the best for you! :P

Just like any radiation - they have the same risks, necrosis, hair loss, burns etc.

Gamma knife is a one shot deal - you go once.

Cyber knife requires more visits, a mask, but is said to be slightly more accurate (so for those with tumors around very sensitive parts like optic nerves or veins that should not get radiated, something to consider)

Proton beam - supposed to have less damage on surrounding tissues (but these machines as harder to find).

Also know that the effect may not be immediate - at least in the case of my tumor, I know it will take 6 months to 5 years to kill the tumor. There is also radiation leakage to surrounding tissues that has to be taken in account.

I have done some research since I may have this done next (and I am not wanting it since it will destroy my pituitary) for my high ACTH.
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875426 tn?1325528416
Lord willing, it will!  We are relieved everytime an MRI comes back that no growth is happening.  Have you ever seen the movie the Miracle of the Cards w/Richard Thomas?  It mentions gamma knife (precursor, I think to cyber knife).  It is such a blessing that they have these options out there for people with smaller tumors who don't want to risk open skull surgery.
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637613 tn?1281039564
Thanks for the reply. We are hopeful that it will go well for her. I hope all is well with your relative as well. God bless.
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875426 tn?1325528416
A close relative of mine had gamma knife surgery for a meningioma on the brain.  It went well and the tumor shrank for awhile.  Now it has been remaining the same size.  So long as it's not growing, that's good!  I believe cyber knife is an advance on gamma knife.
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