Gamma Knife or Linac

[Buddynz]

Hello from New Zealand.

I was diagnosed with a 12mm x 4mm x 5mm An a year ago and my latest MRI has come back at 13mm x 7mm x 7mm. I have mild Tinnitus in my right ear and some unnoticeable high frequency hearing loss.

I have decided to wait 1 more year and try low dose Aspirin for that period in the hope that the growth may stop.

Regarding treatment, I live in New Zealand and the only radiation treatment is Linac which is free under our health system. My dilemma is that I can travel to Sydney, Australia for Gamma Knife at a cost of around NZ$35,000 dollars (US $25,000).  Is the general consensus that Gamma Knife is better for smaller tumors?

The Linac  system here is used to treat all sorts of cancers and is reconfigured depending on what is being treated on the day and the strapped on helmet is manually refitted for each treatment.
I am a little concerned that over several treatments there could be slight variations in the focus of the beam?

I would appreciate any comments regarding the Gamma Knife (one treatment and screwed on head brace) and Linac options.

Allan 66 yrs (New Zealand)
AN Diagnosed MRI May 2020  right side 12 x 4 x 5mm
MRI May 2021 13 x 7 x 7mm

[gbly]

Buddynz,
Welcome and lots to think about.  I did proton and can't contribute to the GK and Linac.  But with a quick look the Linac seems similar to Proton which is what I did.  I did a quick search found a good comparison site, hope it helps.

https://www.rmgk.com/gamma-knife-vs-linac

The Linac looks like it has the same mask as the proton, but maybe the beam is not as direct.  Do you have anyone there with a proton therapy machine?

Keep us posted on what you do.

[mwatto]

I can recommend Cyberknife in Perth. Cost me 13K and was 3 K out of pocket after Medicare. Two and a half years out. All good.

[CA Marti]

Buddynz,
     
      I have been researching the difference between gamma and cyberknife and linac for a little while now. I've been attempting to compare the risks of all the methods. I wanted to share with you the statistics of one study that I found,though, because it includes Linac. Mind you, this is just one study and I can't find the link which I found this on, but if I do find it I'll send it to you. This article stated that the facial neuropathy risks of gamma and cyberknife were 0-2%, Linac was 6.9%, and microsurgery was 0-13%. I've found that different articles list slightly different risks but since this one showed a higher risk it was enough for me personally to want to avoid linac.
Best of luck to you on your decision,
CA Marti

[CA Marti]

Here's the article: If you scroll down the article past the mri scans and chart you will see the statistics for the linac there.

https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/59454