ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: mcrue on October 18, 2016, 06:10:53 pm

Title: Brand New Gamma Knife IKON at University of Virginia
Post by: mcrue on October 18, 2016, 06:10:53 pm

"The old Gamma Knife procedure was typically accurate within 2 to 5 mm," said Dr. Jason Sheehan, co-director of the Gamma Knife Center. "The new technology is usually accurate within half a millimeter."

I wonder if I should have waited 7 months to be treated with the new IKON?

For me, the mask was painless and never an issue. It makes me wonder how much of this article is just marketing?

When I emailed Dr. Sheehan in February if I should wait for the  new ICON, he replied that the statistics aren't available yet on how well the new IKON will perform. Dr. Sheehan went on to say that the current Gamma Knife (at the time) is the "gold standard" of treatment.

Since my AN was relatively small, Dr. Sheehan didn't see a benefit for me to wait for the new IKON.

 
In my opinion, when a brain surgeon is quoted as saying "the new technology is usually accurate within half a millimeter",  it kind of implies that this certainly beats the "gold standard" of  2 to 5mm accuracy.



http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/enhanced-gamma-knife-technology-at-uva-mean-less-pain/article_f4ad4110-8e72-11e6-b97b-879080ee3487.html

Title: Re: Brand New Gamma Knife IKON at University of Virginia
Post by: Blw on October 19, 2016, 02:14:09 pm

I wanted nothing to do with new technology. They'll need a few years of data to determine how good it is. I went the gold standard route.

Title: Re: Brand New Gamma Knife IKON at University of Virginia
Post by: mcrue on October 20, 2016, 12:34:20 am

I would think they likely retired (or sold) the old Gamma Knife machine, and treat every new patient in the new IKON?

I suppose it's only natural with my OCD to second-guess if the IKON would have made any difference in saving my hearing, as I sustained a dramatic decline from 100% hearing down to 10% in a matter of days post-treatment.

I suppose as long as the tumor stops growing and doesn't have to be re-treated, then GK is considered a success.

I was informed by Dr. Schwartz at the House Clinic that no matter I did,  I would likely lose all my hearing in my AN ear within 10 years. I was just hoping I would have had my excellent hearing a little longer than 7 to 10 days post-GK.