Are linac machines as good as CK?

[Alison]

Hi,
I'm trying to find out if FSR with the older linac-based machines (possibly brainlab?) are as good as the robotic CK machines? I think my treatment centre in the UK, where I have an apt Monday, only has linac (requiring multiple treatments) although we do have other centres with CK elsewhere I think.

If I am offered radiotherapy/surgery instead of surgery, would linac be a good option, or should I stick out for CK, which would delay treatment by going back to my GP for a new referral if (I can get it on the NHS)?

Any opinions gratefully received,

many thanks,

Alison

[PaulW]

Are standard linac machines as good as CK?
CK is great for small tumours next to critical structures.
This is where CK excels.

Some medical gobbledigook which pretty much says what the Accuray sales brochure says.
More radiation to the tumour, better sparing of good tissue..


See below.

Dosimetric comparison of Linac-based (BrainLAB®) and robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife ®) stereotactic system plans for acoustic schwannoma.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21892741

[PaulW]

Found a link to the full paper.

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51619115_Dosimetric_comparison_of_Linac-based_(BrainLAB)_and_robotic_radiosurgery_(CyberKnife_)_stereotactic_system_plans_for_acoustic_schwannoma/file/d912f4fa035f9af4d4.pdf?ev=pub_ext_doc_dl&docViewer=true

[Alison]

Thanks Paul for the links.
I've read quite a bit on the pubmed site about GK CK and linac and SRS and FRS. Some seem to think they are comparable in outcomes and some don't.

I was initially told over the phone by the specialist nurse, before my apt that if I went for radiosurgery/therapy it'd be fractionated. At my apt on Monday, the neurosurgeon recommended against surgery ( a relief for now anyway) and said he'd refer me to the neurological oncology centre for single dose radiosurgery, which he said was linac. When I started to ask about this, he said it'd be best to address any questions to the radiologist at the centre, when I have my apt.

All well and good but he said I'd hear about the apt at the oncology centre in about 6 weeks (then an additional wait till the actual apt, so more than 6 weeks). He said this was because my tumour was urgent but not malignant. We are talking about the UK and the NHS. My GP has said she'll try and speed it up if possible.

So back to the waiting game, and reading up more information.

Thanks again,

Alison