HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - WBR no longer necessary first step with Brain Mets

Esther · 01-16-2006, 11:22 AM

Different dr's will different opinions of course, but Dr. Hodgesen clearly communicated to me that WBR is not his first choice of treatment, even with 3 to 4 lesions on the brain.

WBR can have serious side effects, and he felt that Gamma Knife as a first line of treatment is better. He has a track record of over 90% success rates with BC brain mets not needing further treatment after Gamma Knife.

WBR can be given at any time after Gamma Knife, so it still leaves WBR as an option after Gamma Knife if it is needed. He also stated that WBR prior to Gamma Knife or cyberknife was the old standard of treatment protocol, and is no longer considered standard of treatment by many locations.

01-16-2006, 11:22 AM	#8
Esther Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 484	Different dr's will different opinions of course, but Dr. Hodgesen clearly communicated to me that WBR is not his first choice of treatment, even with 3 to 4 lesions on the brain. WBR can have serious side effects, and he felt that Gamma Knife as a first line of treatment is better. He has a track record of over 90% success rates with BC brain mets not needing further treatment after Gamma Knife. WBR can be given at any time after Gamma Knife, so it still leaves WBR as an option after Gamma Knife if it is needed. He also stated that WBR prior to Gamma Knife or cyberknife was the old standard of treatment protocol, and is no longer considered standard of treatment by many locations.