Cyberknife surgery for Meniogima side effects?

@poodlemomfour, I can understand you're afraid. CyberKnife is the name of the machine or device that delivers stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Gamma Knife is another name. While the words surgery and knife are used, the treatment doesn't involve any cuts or incisions. "tiny beams of radiation on a tumor or other target with extreme accuracy. Each beam has very little effect on the brain tissue it passes through. But a strong dose of radiation is delivered to the place where all the beams meet. The ability to deliver radiation so precisely means that very little radiation gets to healthy tissues surrounding the target." https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brain-stereotactic-radiosurgery/about/pac-20384679

Here are some related discussions that you might find helpful.

- Stereotactic Radiosurgery Surgery (Gamma or CyberKnife) for Meningioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gamma-knife-radio-surgery-for-meningioma/
- I've survived three brain tumors, one treated with cyberknife https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ive-survived-three-brain-tumors-only-one-malignant-one-done-with-cyberknife/

You mention that you are claustrophobic. Please let your care team know. They can help make the treatment easier for you.

When will you have treatment?

How do they decide between Gamma knife and proton therapy? I heard there was benefits to proton therapy

Good question. I believe the size of the meningioma determines whether or not Gamma knife can be used. If it's too large, they might not do GK. That is what my mother was told, who had a large meningioma, discovered in her 80s. I had proton therapy radiation. It takes weeks, and you need to stay where they provide it, as you get little doses daily up to 5 weeks.

A neurologist I consulted a few years ago said after 3 centimeters they don't like to do cyberknife or gamma knife.

Thanks! Can you tell me about your experience with proton therapy?

I chose PT because I did not want a 2nd crainiotomy done elsewhere (the first one had infected hardware which had to be removed, continuing issues, with a wait and see situation).
PT treatment: I chose Mayo Clinic in MN because I researched options to crainiotomies and they accepted my insurance as another Mayo did not and I had lived in MN so knew the area. Mayo is ranked #1 for many medical issues. Doctors are from all over the world. Because treatments are very short (a few minutes a day) on a week-day daily basis, I stayed in Rochester, MN for the 5 weeks of treatment rather than fly back and forth, which would have been impossible on a daily basis. Excellent team. Feel absolutely nothing during treatment. Head is immobilized, wearing a made-for-patient mesh mask which locks down to table. Four angles of beam go into head from 4 different directions. Table turns each time. You have the option to have music of your choice playing, warm blanket. No drawbacks so far as I can determine. PT stops growth, does not destroy it, so the meningioma is still there (unlike when it is cut out during a crainiotomy). Follow-up MRIs continue every 6 months, which can be done locally, or back at Mayo.
Each situation is unique. I hope this gives you some insight. Best!