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Lump by screw from gamma knife surgery, anyone else?
Brain Tumor | Last Active: May 15, 2020 | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Joan, If your meningiomas are too large for gamma knife, Mayo in Rochester, MN (maybe their other locations also, I don't know) also offers proton beam radiation for larger tumors. It's very focused radiation, same benefits as gamma knife and very similar risks. The main disadvantage is instead of the treatment being done in one session as with gamma, it is 5 1/2 weeks of every day except weekends but only about 15 minutes each time in the machine. You wear a tight mask they custom make for your head/face instead of using screws. You can read about it on the Mayo website. I have no idea if you are a candidate for proton beam, but worth reading about it so you can ask your doc about it if your tumors get too large for gamma.
You may have told me before, but my brain has turned to mush being home every day for a month. I did not remember that you also experienced smoky smells. What did your doc attribute them to?
Jill
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Hi Jill, You are so wonderful! When my neurosurgeon told me last year, that I needed surgery for my tumor, he said there were only 3 options- wait and see if it grows, regular surgery or Gamma. He didn't recommend to wait as it was growing and I opted for the Gamma. But he said he couldn't do the Gamma if it was 3cm or bigger. Now, thanks to you there is another option. Just in case I will check to see where the nearest Mayo clinic is located. I am not a good candidate for regular surgery with my low immune system and my interstitial lung disease. I hope it hasn't grown. On the "smelling smoke", the neurologist that I saw said it was nothing. I didn't like him and won't go back to him as he said to only come back when my tremors got worse and he said that would happen within 2 years. I went to him for my headache not my mild tremors. I did ask my PC about the smoke smell and she didn't know what would cause it. I really think the Gabapentin has helped as I rarely smell it now. I hope you are safe and staying home. Thanks for your help. Joan