I am 63, with a 2 cm AN, about to have surgery translab in December. I have no other significant health issues. My doctors questioned me first about my health (thoroughly) and then recommended me for surgery (which should take about 8 hours) based on their opinion of success and my ability to withstand this difficult and long surgery.
If I had other health issues like hypertension and diabetes I would investigate and learn about treatment by radiation, if it could be found near me.
My reasoning would be this. If I went into surgery and a complication threatened continuing the length of the difficult procedure, the surgeon would close the site and do one of two things - do a second procedure at a safer time to remove the reaminder of the tumor, or send the patient for radiation to get the remainder. Either way I would have two procedures and two major events to deal with.
In fact, when I asked my surgeon what he will do if he cannot get all of my tumor off of the facial nerve, he said he will have to leave a small part there for radiation treatment (if that portion starts to grow). Since I could live at least another 20 years the possiblility that the "remainder" will grow is possible. It is not a thing I like to think about but I wanted to share the facts I am facing. Perhaps this will help you.
