Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 5 1:35pm
@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.
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Thank you so much! That was a detailed and helpful response. Do you have to have a craniotomy with gamma knife? Or a brace bolted to your head? That scares me.
Gamma knife is something I have not experienced. I understand a halo is attached/ kind of bolted to the head while they do laser-like surgery. I did not have that, so cannot speak intelligently about it.
I had a craniotomy. If you Google "craniotomy" you'll get all the information you need. Essentially, a part of the skull bone is cut out to perform removal of tumor or address whatever is the issue, then the bone flap, or cut out portion of the skull, is reattached to the skull with screws and plates - something I didn't realize until after I'd had the surgery, which was quite an eye-opener to me. My advice to any doctors out there would be to fully disclose what will happen during the surgery and afterward to their patients. This only seems fair. Since each case is unique, I feel the surgeon should have a very honest and open discussion with patient before surgery, no matter what. I also think surgeons should share options with their patients. I truly respect and admire doctors who take time with their patients and follow up with them after surgery. They seem to be in short supply, perhaps because they are too busy to do so. I find it quite remarkable what the human body can withstand. I think attending to patient's psychological needs along with physical needs is so important and would hope more doctors would be kind enough to think about that. Blessings!
Another detailed and thoughtful response! I agree they should give us all options, and inform us of what will happen. I had a partial excision of my Meningioma through my sinuses. No one talked to me about issues with sinuses or that my head would be bolted with a halo. I just woke up with painful, bloody holes in my scalp. He said I will need radiation at some point for the remaining tumor and keeps saying gamma knife, but I don’t want another halo! I’m hopeful I could do proton therapy instead. Thank you again, you’re most helpful to talk to!
Another detailed and thoughtful response! I agree they should give us all options, and inform us of what will happen. I had a partial excision of my Meningioma through my sinuses. No one talked to me about issues with sinuses or that my head would be bolted with a halo. I just woke up with painful, bloody holes in my scalp. He said I will need radiation at some point for the remaining tumor and keeps saying gamma knife, but I don’t want another halo! I’m hopeful I could do proton therapy instead. Thank you again, you’re most helpful to talk to!
After your first question posed to CSCMaryann (4 days ago) I decided, for my own benefit, to further research gammaknife versus cyberknife. As you know, I had a craniotomy just over a year ago so that operation had been my focus. However, now that I am on watch-and-wait for two other meningiomas, (and the neurosurgeon said we would only utilize radiation for those, if necessary) I wanted to get up to speed on gamma versus cyber. I usually only read information from Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, MD Anderson, UCSF, Stanford, Johns-Hopkins) but in my search I found this wonderful article, ""Cyberknife vs. Gammaknife," through" Summit Cancer Centers,
A Division of American Oncology Partners, P.A." After reading this, I have decided to go with Cyberknife. My conundrum is that only Gammaknife is offered at UCSF, where my neurosurgeon is. But I think there is a hospital in San Jose, about an hour from San Francisco, that is affiliated with UCSF, and offers only Cyberknife, where I can get the procedure done if that becomes necessary.
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@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.
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1 ReactionA neurologist I consulted a few years ago said after 3 centimeters they don't like to do cyberknife or gamma knife.
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2 ReactionsThanks! 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!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you so much! That was a detailed and helpful response. Do you have to have a craniotomy with gamma knife? Or a brace bolted to your head? That scares me.
Gamma knife is something I have not experienced. I understand a halo is attached/ kind of bolted to the head while they do laser-like surgery. I did not have that, so cannot speak intelligently about it.
I had a craniotomy. If you Google "craniotomy" you'll get all the information you need. Essentially, a part of the skull bone is cut out to perform removal of tumor or address whatever is the issue, then the bone flap, or cut out portion of the skull, is reattached to the skull with screws and plates - something I didn't realize until after I'd had the surgery, which was quite an eye-opener to me. My advice to any doctors out there would be to fully disclose what will happen during the surgery and afterward to their patients. This only seems fair. Since each case is unique, I feel the surgeon should have a very honest and open discussion with patient before surgery, no matter what. I also think surgeons should share options with their patients. I truly respect and admire doctors who take time with their patients and follow up with them after surgery. They seem to be in short supply, perhaps because they are too busy to do so. I find it quite remarkable what the human body can withstand. I think attending to patient's psychological needs along with physical needs is so important and would hope more doctors would be kind enough to think about that. Blessings!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAnother detailed and thoughtful response! I agree they should give us all options, and inform us of what will happen. I had a partial excision of my Meningioma through my sinuses. No one talked to me about issues with sinuses or that my head would be bolted with a halo. I just woke up with painful, bloody holes in my scalp. He said I will need radiation at some point for the remaining tumor and keeps saying gamma knife, but I don’t want another halo! I’m hopeful I could do proton therapy instead. Thank you again, you’re most helpful to talk to!
After your first question posed to CSCMaryann (4 days ago) I decided, for my own benefit, to further research gammaknife versus cyberknife. As you know, I had a craniotomy just over a year ago so that operation had been my focus. However, now that I am on watch-and-wait for two other meningiomas, (and the neurosurgeon said we would only utilize radiation for those, if necessary) I wanted to get up to speed on gamma versus cyber. I usually only read information from Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, MD Anderson, UCSF, Stanford, Johns-Hopkins) but in my search I found this wonderful article, ""Cyberknife vs. Gammaknife," through" Summit Cancer Centers,
A Division of American Oncology Partners, P.A." After reading this, I have decided to go with Cyberknife. My conundrum is that only Gammaknife is offered at UCSF, where my neurosurgeon is. But I think there is a hospital in San Jose, about an hour from San Francisco, that is affiliated with UCSF, and offers only Cyberknife, where I can get the procedure done if that becomes necessary.
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