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gamma knife

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › gamma knife

  • Post
    • December 15, 2018 at 5:39 pm
    lkb
    Participant

      Thank you, everyone, for making this such a helpful place!

      I’ve had progression while on Nivo. The oncologist recommends a one-time radiation/gamma knife for a single brain met, and says side effects are minimal and rare and the treatment has an 80% success rate. Suggestions for good reading on this? Has anyone here had a one-time treatment for a brain met? Results? Side effects? Other comments? Thanks.

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        • December 15, 2018 at 6:06 pm
        AMcReader
        Participant

          I had SRS to the tumor bed where my brain tumor was removed, it was 3 quick sessions. I lost my hair in the place that they treated about 3 months later but never experienced any other symptoms and am happy to report no other tumors have popped up in my brain since that time (April 2018). I can’t recommend any specific reading but I know that there have been many studies that show the combination of immunotherapy of and radiation make both treatments more effective. Good luck to you! 

          • December 15, 2018 at 6:07 pm
          RichInLife2
          Participant

            In September I had SRS to a single brain met. The brain met was slightly less than 1cm at the time. After the treatment, my radiation oncologist seemed surprised that the tumor had actually shrunk slightly in the next scan. In my most recent scan, the tumor is still about the same size (which is good) and there is much less swelling around the tumor (also good). He thinks that the tumor likely has no viable cancer cells, but we'll continue to monitor my brain. I'm currently on monthly Nivo treatments.

            As for side effects, so far so good. I didn't even have any hair loss. Of course, radiation to the brain can cause side effects years down the road, so a lot of knocking on wood here. Right now, I feel great.

            That's just my personal experience. I'm sure that Celeste with chime in with some great links.

            Good luck!

             

            • December 15, 2018 at 6:44 pm
            ed williams
            Participant

              Hi IBK, yes had 3 treated by cyberknife back in 2013, they were about 4 to 5 mm in size. I had single treatment and tumors resolved. It allowed me to then qualify for checkmate 067 trial of Ipi+Nivo or either drug as monotherapy. I have been on Nivo arm of trial since Jan. of 2014. Best Wishes!!! Ed

              • December 15, 2018 at 8:25 pm
              Bubbles
              Participant

                Much like the others…I too had SRS (radiation) to a brain met in 2010, followed by 2 1/2 years of nivo.  Last dose of nivo in June of 2013.  No significant side effects from the radiaiton.  No melanoma since!!  Additionally, there is a great deal of data demonstrating that when radiation is combined with immunotherapy the response is greater than with either treatment alone:

                https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=radiation+and+immunotherapy  

                I wish you my best.  celeste

                • December 15, 2018 at 10:27 pm
                lkb
                Participant

                  Thank you, Amanda, Rich, Ed, and Celeste! I'm feeling better about this treatment. 

                  • December 17, 2018 at 10:23 pm
                  VinceMart
                  Participant

                    I just had SRS in early December for 1 brain met (3mm) on my cerebellum.  It was quick and easy with no side effects.  Wishing you all the best.

                    Vince

                      • December 18, 2018 at 12:18 am
                      lkb
                      Participant

                        Thank you, Vince. How many weeks until your follow-up scan to check results?

                        • December 18, 2018 at 12:36 am
                        VinceMart
                        Participant

                          Early March, so it is quite a way off

                          • December 18, 2018 at 2:53 am
                          lkb
                          Participant

                            Okay. I'll take that to mean the docs are confident about the treatment. Mine will be "an all-day procedure," so I think that might be the difference between gamma and cyber. Thanks for responding.

                          • December 20, 2018 at 4:09 pm
                          cancersnewnormal
                          Participant

                            I've had gamma done 10 times. Yup… 10 head frames. You can do this! My last lesion was a "breakthrough" while on Keytruda. Gamma blasted it and continued the infusions… all has been ok since Feb 2016. Lucky for me, at USC, they sedate you for the frame placement. Although I suppose a good dose of Ativan would also be helpful. :-p 

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