ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: tmtbct on January 29, 2011, 03:39:54 pm

Title: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: tmtbct on January 29, 2011, 03:39:54 pm

I have recently been diagnosed with an AN and have seen 2 Docs about it.  One was relatively new to the field and I decided I wanted someone with more experience.  The other has plenty of experience, but he admits he is biased to surgery and recommends that.  I would like to know about a Doc in the Chicago area who has experience in radiosurgery, either GK or CK.  My AN is 2.1 cm by 1.2 cm so it is considered to be a medium sized tumor.  Any recommendations or experiences with radiosurgery would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: Janusz on January 31, 2011, 09:18:56 am

Hi,

in my opinion, more important is the type of machine. Search for Gamma Knife Perfexion. There are a few in Chicagoland.

Janusz

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: Frank A on February 01, 2011, 09:13:57 pm

Try Robert Levy at Northwestern Memorial hosp in Chicago.  Had my GK done in 2006, no problems.  At that time he had done over 200 AN's.  Also a great hospital.
Frank A

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 02, 2011, 08:30:38 am

Frank A -

have not heard of Robert Levy.  Is he a neurotologist? 

Does he only treat ANs with radiation, or does he do AN surgery?

Thanks,

Jan

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: Frank A on February 04, 2011, 04:43:39 pm

I believe that Dr. Levy is head of Nuerosurgery at NMH.  He can do either GK or surgery and that's why I respected his opinion.  Based on the size of my AN, which was maybe a little smaller than yours he recommended GK.  I was back to work in one day and resumed my normal lifestyle, which is very active.  My balance improved significantly, no more light headed feeling.  My hearing is about the same or slightly better. I still have tinnitus but don't pay much attention to it, and the tumor is half the size and still shrinking.  Good luck and hope this helps.

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 06, 2011, 11:40:29 am

Thanks, Frank.  Glad you had a good outcome with the GK.

I was offered the choice of GK or surgery by my neurotologist, who teaches at Northwestern University Medical School.  I chose surgery, which turned out to be a good thing since my AN was really closer to 3 cms when the docs got inside of my head.

I had a great outcome and would do it all over again in a heartbeat  ;D

Sounds like we're both doing stellar!

Jan

Title: Re: Looking for best Doc for radiosurgery in Chicago
Post by: rupert on February 06, 2011, 12:39:40 pm

  "The tumor is half the size and still shrinking".   As a fellow GK'er   I like hearing things like that.    Bryan