I was diagnosed in 2011 with a 3.3 X 3.1 X 2.5 cm AN. I was treated with LINAC (linear accelerator) at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville by Dr. Kelly Foote (neurosurgery), Dr. William Mendenhall (radiation oncologist) and Frank Bova (physicist). Before speaking to Dr. Foote, 3 other specialists had recommended surgery based on the size of my AN. But Dr. Foote told me that Shands had treated similar ANs successfully and answered all my questions and concerns. I knew that Frank Bova had invented this technology in 1989, and that the team at Shands had decades of experience and research behind them and that their protocols for radiation dosage and other details of the treatment had been adopted globally.
The ANA surveys were very helpful in my choice, making it clear that the after-effects of radiation are generally less severe than those of surgery. I also spoke to Dr. Chang at Stanford who was likewise prepared to treat my AN with radiation, so that was reassuring too.
My AN has now shrunk 70% by volume, to 2.1 X 1.9 X 1.8 cm, and Dr. Foote has told me that I can discontinue annual MRIs and wait 3 years before the next one. I'm very glad I chose Dr. Foote and the team at Shands for my treatment and I would highly recommend them.
The only after-effects from my treatment were one very dizzy spell a month or two after treatment and several incidents when some of the muscles on that side of my face clenched involuntarily, usually after running or climbing stairs, during the first year after my treatment. I had hearing loss and tinnitus before treatment, and that hasn't changed much. I also get tired and sleep more than before, which I suspect is related to my treatment, but I can't be sure as I am 61 now...
