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Proton or photon radiation for meningioma
Brain Tumor | Last Active: Jul 19 2:12pm | Replies (24)Comment receiving replies
hello,
I am currently undergoing IMRT for a benign optic nerve sheath meningioma.
I do not pretend to have ANY expertise, but, I can tell you that I thought that I was going to be offered PROTON and was worrying over making a decision as to where to get treatment based on that, but I was wrong. Both radiation oncologists, two different institutions and both recommended IMRT.
But each case is different.
However, lots of caveats.....I have a small tumor in a very difficult location.....
I would recommend watching this video, which I watched a while back, as this doctor explains a lot in a very clear manner......it's about a half hour long and he is very easy to listen to in my opinion.....five years old, but I think what he says probably still has value....if you watch it, let me know what you think....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ei2vMBFTE Dr. Michael B. Sisti
near the end, he makes some comments about how each doctor has their own ideas.....I cannot quote him, but it made sense at the time.....I wish you luck. I have had eleven sessions out of twenty-eight so far. Take care.
Replies to "hello, I am currently undergoing IMRT for a benign optic nerve sheath meningioma. I do not..."
Thanks for posting the video. Dr. Sisti was reassuring. I’m starting adjunctive IMRT for a GTR atypical meningioma mid July. How are you feeling after being nearly halfway through the treatments?
I agree that this YouTube video is reassuring.
What he does not mention is NGS (Next Generation Sequencing). This is a genetic test of the meningioma itself (not your genes, but the tumor's genes). Using this info, just in the last few years, research groups have been able to further stratify meningiomas into higher and lower risk for recurrence. In other words, for example, a meningioma might look fine under the microscope and be labeled Grade 1 but behave more like Grade 3 over time--higher risk of recurrence, more aggressive growth.
For this reason I have received the recommendation that I go forward with preventative radiation after complete removal of a parasagittal meningioma.
Right now considering photon vs proton radiation, and seeking a second opinion.
Any experiences with proton radiotherapy would be helpful.
The video you recommend by Dr. Sisti in NYC I found so very helpful. I found it a couple of years ago before I had my proton therapy treatment at Mayo in MN for a 2nd meningioma (first one removed by crainiotomy with complications - so that is why I was researching options), and was so helpful for this clear education. I think every neurosurgeon performing surgeries on meningiomas should direct their patients to this video. I hope others make use of it.
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This was very helpful. Thanks for the video!