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.
@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.
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.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHow do they decide between Gamma knife and proton therapy? I heard there was benefits to proton therapy
@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?