2 AN Surgeries Already, Looking into Gamma Knife

[Buckeye_Girl]

In 2003, I had a 5 cm AN, and 60% was removed. Then in 2006, I had the entire AN removed at House, but after getting the post-surgery MRI, a tiny dot (<1 mm) appeared. I'm now looking into the Gamma Knife, because my AN is about 4 mm. I have a consultation today at the Cleveland Clinic. I'm only 30 years old and really don't want to have a third surgery. Anyone else with similar experiences? Thanks.

[Desiree]

I had a 2.5 cm removed sub occiputal in 2005.  My first 4 years of mris were clear.  Last one just showed a6mm re growth.  I will be undergoing gamma knife in a few weeks at barrows. I'm 38 with a three year old and definitely do not want the down time of surgery.   Ill tell you how it goes when I go through it but also advise you to use the search function in the radio surgery and read some of the threads of those who have been through it.it helped me greatly.

[Larry]

I had surgery in 2002, it grew back 3 years later - was wait and watch as minimal growth until march 2010 when it doubled in size to around 18mm. I then decided to have radiation treatment. I had it done by a Linac machine over 5 days. 6 months post radiation - no growth. Due for another MRI now'ish.

Providing you don't have any other symptoms like balance issues, go into wait and watch, have 6 monthly MFRI's and once it grows to around the 18-20mm, then have radiation treatment. At 4mm, you don't need to do anything.

Laz

[Buckeye_Girl]

Thanks Larry and Desire. I'm going to send my MRI's to Pittsburg Gamma Knife to see what they have to say. Wasn't impressed by the Cleveland Clinic on Friday.