Dyslexus ~
Hi, and welcome to the AN discussion forums!
I'm not a doctor, much less, an expert on AN radiation protocols but I can offer you my experience with Novaliis. In May, 2006, I was diagnosed with a 4.5 cm AN, pressing hard on my brainstem. I was suffering from rapidly increasing symptoms (loss of equilibrium and sense of taste, severe fatigue). My neurosurgeon performed a partial resection ('debulking') of the tumor, reducing it to approximately 2.5 cm and, essentially, 'gutting it' into a thin membrane that would be amenable to radiation. The operation was completely successful and I suffered no real complications. My neurosurgeon - very experienced with acoustic neuromas - teamed with a brilliant young radiation oncologist and, using 'fresh' CT and MRI scans of my skull, they jointly 'programmed' the FSR procedure. The FSR was performed at the cancer treatment center adjacent to the hospital where I underwent my surgery, 3 months earlier. Seeing and talking with folks being treated for very serious cancers every day helped me put my situation into the proper perspective. I had a total of 26 separate treatments (receiving a total of approximately 27 gy) . While the FSR procedure was a bit uncomfortable, (you wear a tight-fitting plastic 'mask' and are strapped down to a metal table that is moved by remote control) I suffered no complications from the radiation and drove myself to and from each session (a total of just over 60 miles) each day (weekends off). My last MRI scan showed tumor necrosis (cell death) and the beginnings of tumor shrinkage. My symptoms disappeared immediately following the debulking surgery and now, four years later, I consider myself to be fully recovered. For me, the Novalis FSR treatment was quite successful.
Although this is essentially anecdotal information, I trust it may help you reach a treatment decision.
Jim
