My first recurrence was a neck lymph node 3/12, surgically removed. A PET scan showed activity in a chest node very close to the esophagus. After presentation to a Tumor Board the consensus was the risks far outweighed the benefits of surgery. I was being seen by my local oncologist as well as at the U of AZ at the Cancer Center w/Dr.
My first recurrence was a neck lymph node 3/12, surgically removed. A PET scan showed activity in a chest node very close to the esophagus. After presentation to a Tumor Board the consensus was the risks far outweighed the benefits of surgery. I was being seen by my local oncologist as well as at the U of AZ at the Cancer Center w/Dr. Evan Hersh. A brain MRI showed a 3mm area in the cerebellum (either age related or tumor). Decision to wait and repeat in 2 months. Next step chemo. THEN a wonderful new treatment method was discovered in an article in a local hospital newsletter. I was considered a good candidate and received 5 one hour treatments with this new technology. Now I understand it's been around for a while, but for whatever reasons I hadn't heard about it. I figure it's up to me to get the word out. The treatment facility is Phoenix Cyberknife and Radiation Oncology Center, Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. John Kresl is my doctor and the head of the clinic. He and his staff are the best. All kinds of cancers and sites can be treated. They have state-of-the-art equipment featuring CYBERKNIFE VSI, TRUEBEAM STX, VARISOURCE IX HDR AND GE WIDE BORE 16-SLICE CT. This is the only treatment center in AZ. I am so thankful to have found Dr. Kresl. The dosage is high and the area treated is just the tumor area so the tumor is destroyed. The robotic arm can approach the tumor from all angles. You lay on a table and the arm moves around your body. First I had a planning CT then the doctor, a physicist and a dosimeter decide on the treatment plan and schedule. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. If I can help in any way please email me at omeake@cox.net.
