ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: patdel on December 04, 2009, 10:26:18 pm
-
Hi, I went to see a Radiation Oncologist today at Duke U. to get an opinion on my AN and whether I was a candidate for radiation. He said I was but I am confused because he is suggesting FSR with 25 low doses. I would be going 5days a week for 5 weeks. Most of the literature and reading I have done talk about 1 bog dose or 3-4 smaller ones. He has a new state of the art Novalis machine which is supposed to be the best out there right now. Couldn't pin down how many ANs he's done but he's done lots of cancerous brain tumors with the machine. Has anyone had FRS with that many doses?
Thanks
Pat
-
Several people on the forum have had FSR, with 25 or so small doses, instead of 1 dose Gammaknife, or 3 dose Cyberknife. My fellow moderator Jim is one, and will probably be along shortly to fill you in. It was actually the first stereotactic radiation protocol used on ANs, and it is still used in a number of places. You can argue that GK or CK is better, but all three can achieve essentially the same result.
Welcome to the forum, too.
Steve
-
Hi, Pat ~
Steve is correct. FSR is 'low-dose' radiation very specifically calibrated to irradiate the tumor. I underwent 26 FSR treatments in the fall of 2006 as a follow-up to a partial tumor resection. My neurosurgeon's plan was to 'debulk' my large AN (4.5 cm) and in the process, cut off it's blood supply. That surgery was successful and my pre-op symptoms disappeared. 3 months later, with time for my brain to heal (my doctor's words) I had the FSR treatments. I was told by my doctor that I would receive the lowest amount of radiation possible that would still be effective. It was carefully 'mapped', using recent MRI and CT scans, by my neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist. The goal was to do minimum damage to surrounding brain tissue while 'zapping' the (remaining) AN and effectively 'killing' it's DNA (it's ability to reproduce more tumor cells).
The 26 FSR sessions were performed at an outpatient cancer center. They took about 45 minutes each and were completely painless. I suffered no adverse reactions to the radiation and drove myself to and from each session, a distance of over 60 miles, round trip. I'm pleased to report that the FSR treatment were successful. My last MRI showed necrosis and some shrinkage and I'm doing fine.
I won't attempt to compare or debate the efficacy of FSR, GK and CK because I'm not an expert in any of these radiation techniques and of course, I'm not a doctor. I can only offer you my experience, which was successful in my case. If a radiation oncologist recommends FSR, he must have a good reason. I suggest you ask him.
Jim
-
Also see Kate(KJ)'s recent posts for a play by play, she is going through FSR right now:
Decision Made: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=10790.0
Getting Ready: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=10878.0
Week One Update: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=11152.0
Week Three Update: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=11257.0
Steve
-
Hi Pat, I just read your original question. I'm just finishing up my 25 doses on Wednesday of next week, and overall I have to say it went very smoothly. My doctor is very pleased with the results and so am I. We went with multiple low doses in order to try and preserve my diminishing hearing. The treatments are completely painless, and except for a few minor headaches and some mild dizziness I've had no side effects.
Hope this helps you feel better about your choice. Happy Holidays!
Kate