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.
A problem with information from a particular treatment center for what’s best can be biased by what treatment they offer. As you have found, some only offer one of the two and I would expect them to pick theirs as better. Some independent sources have mentioned GK is more precise targeting for brain tumors where CK can be used for other areas of the body more effectively and is more comfortable but takes time. Proton beam doesn’t seem to have a lot of research data available. I ran into that problem when I was treated for prostate cancer. PB was much more expensive but had no data showing it was better so insurance companies would not cover it. Maybe it is different for use in brain tumors.
I had GK about 18 months ago. My meningioma was near my optic nerve and was 4+ cm which is large. My research showed GK has been used for 5cm and under. I have had no side effects. My neurosurgeon gave me a 90% success rate for the single GK treatment so I never considered proton therapy.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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A problem with information from a particular treatment center for what’s best can be biased by what treatment they offer. As you have found, some only offer one of the two and I would expect them to pick theirs as better. Some independent sources have mentioned GK is more precise targeting for brain tumors where CK can be used for other areas of the body more effectively and is more comfortable but takes time. Proton beam doesn’t seem to have a lot of research data available. I ran into that problem when I was treated for prostate cancer. PB was much more expensive but had no data showing it was better so insurance companies would not cover it. Maybe it is different for use in brain tumors.
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2 ReactionsI had GK about 18 months ago. My meningioma was near my optic nerve and was 4+ cm which is large. My research showed GK has been used for 5cm and under. I have had no side effects. My neurosurgeon gave me a 90% success rate for the single GK treatment so I never considered proton therapy.
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1 ReactionI believe that is why my neurosurgeon is pushing gamma knife. They don’t have proton therapy
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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1 ReactionAnother 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!
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!
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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.
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!
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2 ReactionsThanks! Can you tell me about your experience with proton therapy?
A 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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