HI Mac,
Stats are always interesting aren't they?
I was impressed with the thoroughness of descriptions regarding the set up nerves within that IAC and how they run through the brain and from and into the brain stem and how they wander off and surprise surgeons in the operating room. It probably explains why some after surgery have the problems they do....( and probably even those who had rads).
I also was interested in the comments about headaches as I remember a couple of years ago when I read posts here, a number who had headaches post surgery but hadn't had much understanding from some docs etc., were really fumbling for answers, some of which were posted here by various Aners (like the one on bone dust for example).
I found this entire write up most interesting on a number of levels.
I did note that radiation did not have a lot of comment, yes, as I myself had radiation and I would choose it again if I had to do it over. In fact my neuro ent referred me for it. I do subsequently have some trigeminal involvement. The thing is that after reading this i am more aware of the intricacies of the nerves and Ans regardless of which treatment protocal is chosen. An An may be benign but the possibilities of problems affecting one is considerable. It is delicate and demanding microsurgery.
One thing I am becoming more aware of is the literature (abstracts) about long term effects of radiation on children for example. More recent publications are pointing out the later effects that are being diagnosed now.... again it's a delicate balancing act.... benefits vs risks.... and very long term effects are only coming out more recently. Lots of research into that.....
I am very pro radiation treatment. At the same time I am aware that the beam delivery protocals have changed, dosage has changed, machines have changed, imaging techniques have changed, all a fine tuning of this type of treatment, but , really, long term stats are not all that available unless you are in the business lol....in any case ten yr studies ( meaning the last ten yrs) do give good stats but depending on which you read (remembering that there is Gk and CK and linac (and variations) and 1 or 2-3 day or 5 day and 5 weeks or more etc. versions of treatment), comparing stats beomes a neat mathematical thing. They vary from 90% 95% 98% etc depending on which result one is looking at.... preusmably halting the growth of the An is the one most Aners are concerned about. But there are other effects that intrude on daily life too.
Another aspect I am personally interested in is the size of Ans and location? Some truly do not have a choice regarding treatment. They need open surgery. And I found this quite informative if anyone wishes to read about the intricacies of the nerves in the brain and how they may play into the various surgical choices... which is another reason why I posted it.
It's a good read about all sorts of things, too numerous to mention paragraph by paragraph.
The best thing is that these doctors keep investigating the entire An scenario. And we all ulitmately benefit.
We've come a long way from the sixties never mind the last hundred years.....
Bottom line may be that Ans need to be found early while radiation is a great choice and no one needs surgery. Then again there are those with NF2 and that's a whole other story.....
be well and take care,
Windsong
