ANA Discussion Forum

Archive => Archives => Topic started by: JRB on February 22, 2006, 02:12:13 pm

Title: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: JRB on February 22, 2006, 02:12:13 pm
Hello All
I am new to this but thank you all for the great info you put out.
My wife has a AN 1.5 to 1.8 CM we are tyring to figure out what we should do.
We have found out there is alot of options.
One thing I was wondering? Does anyone have any thoughts on Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery.
We did meet with someone about Sterotatic but it doesnt seem to be out as long as Gamma Knife.
Whats better???
Has any one done Gamma Knife in Boston and if so with who??

Your comments would be very helpful

Thanks
J
Title: Re: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: jamie on February 22, 2006, 02:35:33 pm
Gamma Knife is stereotactic radiosurgery. There are other machines, but all produce ionizing radiation, and the effects of the radiation on the tumor are the same. So the length of time gamma has been around can be applied to newer machines. The main difference is accuracy, gamma uses a headframe bolted to the skull to achieve sub-millimeter accuracy, the only other machine that is equal, or even more accurate is the CyberKnife, which doesn't use a headframe, but uses continuous imaging to target the tumor.

check out:

www.cyberknifesupport.org
Title: Re: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: ppearl214 on February 22, 2006, 11:16:36 pm
Hi J,

I had my neurosurgeon at Brigham/Women's tell me today that only GammaKnife in the area are in RI and ... at Tuft's Medical!  Confirming the latter now.

Phyllis



Quote from: JRB on February 22, 2006, 02:12:13 pm
Hello All
I am new to this but thank you all for the great info you put out.
My wife has a AN 1.5 to 1.8 CM we are tyring to figure out what we should do.
We have found out there is alot of options.
One thing I was wondering? Does anyone have any thoughts on Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery.
We did meet with someone about Sterotatic but it doesnt seem to be out as long as Gamma Knife.
Whats better???
Has any one done Gamma Knife in Boston and if so with who??

Your comments would be very helpful

Thanks
J
Title: Re: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: FlyersFan68 on February 24, 2006, 01:29:31 pm

Maybe this will help some.

http://www.anseattle.org/refresradiosurg.html#anchor1529996
Title: Re: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: ppearl214 on February 25, 2006, 10:36:46 pm
J, have confirmed GK at Tufts Medical

http://www.bostongammaknifecenter.org/



Quote from: ppearl214 on February 22, 2006, 11:16:36 pm
Hi J,

I had my neurosurgeon at Brigham/Women's tell me today that only GammaKnife in the area are in RI and ... at Tuft's Medical!  Confirming the latter now.

Phyllis



Quote from: JRB on February 22, 2006, 02:12:13 pm
Hello All
I am new to this but thank you all for the great info you put out.
My wife has a AN 1.5 to 1.8 CM we are tyring to figure out what we should do.
We have found out there is alot of options.
One thing I was wondering? Does anyone have any thoughts on Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery.
We did meet with someone about Sterotatic but it doesnt seem to be out as long as Gamma Knife.
Whats better???
Has any one done Gamma Knife in Boston and if so with who??

Your comments would be very helpful

Thanks
J
Title: Re: Gamma Knife vs Sterotatic Surgery
Post by: flagger on February 26, 2006, 11:21:22 pm
Had stereotactic radiosurgery in 2000.  My doc (Andrews in Philadelphia) said this was safer because the dosage was spread out over 28 days, less risk of facial nerve or hearing loss problems.  It worked great for me 5 years ago and still no problems.  It has shrunk from 2.1 CM to .8 CM.  Feeling great and just got on with living my life.  K