Cyberknife after surgery

[phx]

Okay, I had surgery already. It didn't go like planned, so now I'm looking at cyberknife. My tumor was originally around 4x3x3.5 cm. Now it's about 1.9x3x2. Somewhere around those measurements. About 15% less than the original. Anyone with a tumor that size or bigger that has done cyberknife or any other radiation? Your experiences please?

[leapyrtwins]

phx -

did you have debulking surgery?

Sometimes when the AN is large (like yours was) doctors elect to remove part of it surgically then leave the rest and radiate it.  In this way, they can avoid getting too close to the facial nerve.

Jim Scott had debulking surgery followed by radiation; so have several others on the Forum.

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Phx ~

As Jan stated, I was diagnosed with a 4.5 cm AN, pressing hard on my brain stem, that was surgically 'de-bulked' and it's blood supply cut off.  The remaining, 'thinned-out' tumor was approximately 2.5 cm.  My symptoms all disappeared immediately following the surgery and did not return.  I had no surgical or post-op complications.  After a 90 day 'rest period', my neurosurgeon teamed with a radiation oncologist to 'map' (via CT and MRI scans) my FSR (Fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery) treatments.  I received 26 separate FSR treatments (totaling about 27 gy) and later MRI scans indicated necrosis (tumor cell death) and some slight shrinkage of the remaining tumor.  The FSR experience was painless.  I suffered no adverse effects and drove myself on the 60 mile round-trip to and from the facility every day, Monday through Friday (they closed weekends).  I can only speak to my own experience but for me, radiation following surgery was very effective.

Jim

[Doc]

My experience was very similar to Jim's, except that I had a Translab to debulk my large AN. I underwent CK six months after surgery and as coincidence would have it, I go in for my first MRI since CK, tomorrow morning.  To answer your question, I experienced no side effects what so ever from CK Treatment and feel very good and I'm confident (hopeful) for a positive progress report with the MRI.

Take Care!
 
Doc

[stevecms]

Best of luck Doc for the mri,may the force be with you buddy,Steve

[Doc]

Thanks Steve...all digits tightly engaged (fingers crossed)!

Take Care!
 
Doc

[Angela]

What was thought to be scar tissue after surgery has grown.  I'm going in for cyberknife radiation.  Sounds like you all had a good experience.  How long should I anticipate being off of work? 

[ppearl214]

What was thought to be scar tissue after surgery has grown.  I'm going in for cyberknife radiation.  Sounds like you all had a good experience.  How long should I anticipate being off of work? 

after CK?  No days off for me.  I took the week off (ie: used vaca days) for my CK treatment (mine was done over a course of 5 days... Mon-Fri). I was back at work the following Monday.  Some fatigue (common to most) did set in from time to time immediately post CK but to take time off to "recuperate".... 0 days.

Phyl