Radiation study results

[goinbatty]

I thought everyone would be interested in this article.

http://www.emedicine.com/ent/TOPIC668.HTM#GammaKnife

[ppearl214]

terrific read! thanks for sharing this! 

question/suggestion... since this covers so many different aspects of radio-treatments for AN's (if you scroll and read the entire link/website), are you fine with renaming this thread since it's more than just GK? 

Great read for discussion as well. Where the report was issued 2 wks ago, I found it interesting and would love to hear (like you) everyone's thoughts on it!

thanks again!
Phyl

[goinbatty]

Ok by me to change the name but not sure how.  I got that article from an auto email I subscribe to Medscape.  it's free and list the most up to date research results and such.  I was so shocked to find this on there today.  It's very technical but the most interesting parts are the results/conclusions.  Can you go in and change the name?  If not, just let me know how and I'll be more than happy to. 
Thanks,
Sandra

[sgerrard]

Done! 

I took a quick look at the article, but haven't tried to digest it yet. Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Steve

[ppearl214]

Thanks Sandra for being open to changing the thread name (if you chose to "Modify" the original/first post you did, you should be able to change the thread name!)   Thanks Steve for handling!

For me, in reading the overall info re: single dose vs. fractionation... for overall outcome, seemed to be of most interest to me. Seems (if I read it right) that it was noted that fractionating is definately the way to go for hearing preservation.... I'm still absorbing the info about surrounding structural hit of radiation single dose vs. fractionated.  Will come back after I reread (with more time vs. the skimming I did yesterday).

Thanks again all!
Phyl

[Jim Scott]

Sandra:

I skimmed the article but to be honest, skipped to the concluding comments and focused on fractionated radiation because that is what I had (following debulking surgery).  It seems my neurosurgeon was correct when he said that was the way to go for the best overall results.  I'll peruse the entire article when I have more time.  Thanks for posting it - Good information.

Jim

[goinbatty]

I actually read it all but the most important info is the result/conclusions and also complications.  After reading it, I suppose it reaffirmed my treatment choice for me.  So far, so good. 
Sandra

[linnilue]

I thought everyone would be interested in this article.

http://www.emedicine.com/ent/TOPIC668.HTM#GammaKnife

  This is an excellent article.  I am so very glad to see such a well defined study.  Finally.

[sgerrard]

This is an excellent article.  I am so very glad to see such a well defined study.  Finally.

Well if it is good enough to bring Holly out of hiding, it must be good! Hi Holly, how are you?

I have read a bit more, and I am finding things I like. It does seem like it has a bit of that "reluctant acceptance" of radiation, meaning it is not exactly enthusiastic about it. But the gathering together of various studies, and the summary of all the results, seems to be very useful.

Steve

[jb]

Everything you always wanted to know about irradiating AN's, but were afraid to ask.... 

It does seem like it has a bit of that "reluctant acceptance" of radiation, meaning it is not exactly enthusiastic about it.

I noticed in the header that the article was written by a surgeon.  I think this is as enthusiastic as most of them get about radiation. 

[GM]

Great find !!   Especially since its dated October of this year!

GM 

[linnilue]

This is an excellent article.  I am so very glad to see such a well defined study.  Finally.

Well if it is good enough to bring Holly out of hiding, it must be good! Hi Holly, how are you?

I have read a bit more, and I am finding things I like. It does seem like it has a bit of that "reluctant acceptance" of radiation, meaning it is not exactly enthusiastic about it. But the gathering together of various studies, and the summary of all the results, seems to be very useful.

Steve

Well, I'm so happy to have been missed by my old commrade.  I haven't been on in a long time so when I started perusing and saw this article I was very excited to read it.  I agree with you that it requires much concentration and rereads. There is alot of important info there and much to digest.  aren't you glad to finally see some comparison in writing.  This is very good for the newly diagnosed.  Oh and FYI my tumor has finally shrunk by 3mm and one of the reasons that I had so many problems was that the tumor was sitting on one of the periforal nerves.  I ahven't had time to post in forever because I've been taking care of my 2 year old grandson 5 days a week with little help and it's exhausting.  Gald to be welcomed back.  Thanks, Holly

[sgerrard]

Oh and FYI my tumor has finally shrunk by 3mm and one of the reasons that I had so many problems was that the tumor was sitting on one of the periforal nerves.

I'm glad to hear that the tumor is finally shrinking, that is good news. I hope you are also feeling better. The placement on some other nerve certainly seemed to cause some pretty unpleasant symptoms for you; I hope that has cleared up.

I am glad that the report gives radiation a fair shake, and it has some useful comparisons of the various radiation methods - as you say, it should be useful for the newly diagnosed.

Take care, Holly, and join us when your grandson gives you a chance.

Steve

[mk]

I finally got around looking this very interesting article in detail. I even checked some of the original references, since I have access to the medical database from the University library  .
Although the article does a good job summarizing the findings from many studies, it doesn't provide some important details in some cases. For example, in the report on GK from the Japanese group (Hasegawa et al), where there were quite a few failures and complications, what is not mentioned is that all these referred to very big ANs (larger than 3 cm, up to even 4 cms). Discounting these cases, overall the success rates seem to be quite good, at the lower doses used nowadays.

Marianna