gamma knife

Does anybody know of any medical reason why a person could not have Gamma knife. Here in UK policy is to only treat 3 spots but cant find any medical reason for this have decided to contact Prime Minister as feel im being fobbed off as I have 8 spots yet Patty Z has had more than that treated. Im feeling bloody angry now and feel I have to do this before its too late.
thanks Ali

You have every right to be bloody angry! I know another Alison over there (Scotland) that was told the same as you, who has now had WBR... On the other hand, the brain mets in Canada are dealt with the same way as UK, too. I have been told that Sweden does not use WBR anymore, but go directly to focalized radiation for brain mets.

At any rate, the only medical reasons I can think of Ali are:

any lesions over 3cm in size,

or their combined size when treated could cause severe edema (referred to as 'mass effect'),

or your overall health is not good,

or you have uncontrolled organ mets.

lastly a lesion too deep in your brain MAY be not treatable. This last one I'm not positive about.

The best case scenario would be: minimal symptoms from brain lesions, good to fairly good overall health, controlled or no organ mets, no lesion over 3cm in size.

Ali, I had to fight every step of the way with rad onc to get this done MY way. My medical onc was/is on my side and helps in every way he can. But, the rad oncs are really stuck in doing it the 'old' way. Part of this is because treating the whole brain reduces the chance of more lesions showing up down the road. However, it does NOT guarentee that happening. And so, I choose to deal with them in these small batches.

the very best of luck to you with your fight to be treated in the manner YOU choose!!!

hugsxoxoxpattyz

thanks patty
have E.Mailed Mr Blair if he doesnt answer I am going to contact another political party as in middle of general election campaign. Been to see onc today who was unsure if you could have multiple gamma knife after having WBR but contacted GAmma Knife specialist who said WBR will make blood/brain barrier more accessable to chemo as it would have broken down. Will be seeing them Friday and next Tuesday to discuss very limited options. If anybody has had WBR and Gamma Knife would appreciate info.
Ali

You go girl! Hope you get some action...

Am thinking you might want to repost asking the question as to both WBR and multiple Gamma's or similar....

That is a very good point your doc made. I was in fact told that it is becoming harder to map the entry points to treat my tumors because I have had multiple treatments.

With each treatment, a very small amount of rads pass through good brain on their way to meeting up with other beams to radiate each tumor.... so, mapping becomes critical in figuring out what part of my brain has had radiation and how much, already. I apologize for not remembering to mention that.

xopattyz