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Second Opinion

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Blw:
Get as many opinions as you can. If you are younger than 50, most will recommend surgery because while there is good data for radiation out to ten years, there is not much known about what happens in 20-30 years, and you don't want these coming back. If you consider radiation, the best gamma knife center is Dr. Lunsford in Pittsburgh, he trained with the inventor, and they have treated thousands. For Cyber knife, go to Stanford, I think the Dr. is Steven Chang, also the best for Ck. There is a third radiation type, but my philosophy is let everyone else go first, and see how they do--not enough data on long term outcomes. Whatever you choose, make sure they are an actual center established to treat ANs. Stay away from people who have only seen hundreds. These are benign tumors but they still are brain tumors. Surgeries are probably 6-8 hrs give or take a few. 10+ hours is no big deal, and I think the longest is 32 hrs. The good news is that the centers set up to do them have done lots (1000s) and they run like clockwork.

Nic-Ruby:
Thank you all for your replies.  I am flying to Seattle today to meet with Dr. Kyle Kim with Seattle Neuro in the Swedish Health Building for my second opinion.  I appreciate that you took the time to respond to my post. Thank you for your wisdom.  It has been helpful and calming.

MarlaB:
I'm an hour north of Seattle...we are lucky here in the PNW that we have a few places and AN specialists here! Best of luck to you!

janerioux:
I am in a similar situation as Nic -Ruby.  I am still waiting to hear from the first doctor I saw who said to observe.  I sent my 2nd MRI to them August 2 and they haven't called me back.  I have been reading and listening to webinars and it is so hard to make a choice.  I will have to travel out of State where ever I choose but it's where should I go.  I know my hearing is worse and waiting for my second hearing test and plan on sending my information out.  If I have to choose between hearing loss and facial paralysis I  would prefer hearing loss.  So hard to make a decision! ???

judyl:
Nic-Ruby and Jane - did you have your second opinions? 

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