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Gamma knife

Forums General Melanoma Community Gamma knife

  • Post
    jmmm
    Participant
      My husband will hopefully receive a gamma knife procedure to remove a brain tumor in a couple of weeks. We haven’t met with the radiation oncologist yet, but are interested in what to expect. We’ve read about pins into the head? Do they give you something to relax you? Does it hurt? What about side effects and recovery?

      My husband will hopefully receive a gamma knife procedure to remove a brain tumor in a couple of weeks. We haven’t met with the radiation oncologist yet, but are interested in what to expect. We’ve read about pins into the head? Do they give you something to relax you? Does it hurt? What about side effects and recovery?

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        lhaley
        Participant

          My procedure was 2 weeks ago today.  The technical name was SRS    Stereotatic Radiation.  The machine was called Novalis.  It's basically the same as gamma knife – I can't really explain the difference.   Instead of them using a halo type of frame they instead used a mask that hooks you to the table.   I'm sure that each procedure is slightly different and this could be a question to ask your radiologist.  So far this has been pretty painless.

          They gave me the choice of the following…. nothing, an IV to calm me or to take valium.  I was not to be asleep so I had to make sure that I didn't move at all.  I did one valium the time they made the mask. While it worked enough I was a lot more anxious going into the procedure. Took 1 valium about an hour before and then took a second one about 20 min before.  The Dr met with my husband and I right after the procedure and we discussed a few things.  I was able to totally discuss and remember that was told to me. 

          We drove home and had a little more than 2 hours ride.  Slept most of the way and when I got home I called and talked to my son on the phone.  

          Yesterday we had to quickly drive back to Charlotte because of  a really bad headache. The mri showed so far it's exactly the same as the 10th, bleeding has stopped.  Evidently right now I'm having some steroid weaning issues.  It's too early to show if it is working but next scan has now been moved to 3 weeks (was supposed to be 2 weeks but because of yesterdays scan they are giving 1 more week).  Talked today with my neurosurgeon and told me that with the next scan if I haven't started to show responding will be put right in the hospital and do the crainectomy.   I also was told that if I have any headache I'm not to just sit here I'm to call immediately.  

          There is so much information to gather it all, understand it all and just remember it!  The nurses have been wonderful and have constantly communication making sure that they repeat that if we have any problem.   Yesterday when the headache I called the wrong DR.  and it ended up I called my oncologist instead of the neurosurgeon.  He ended up being on call and just handled it all and then today they called to make sure who I should have called just incase I need to again.   

          Just a bit wordy, if you need to talk send me an e-mail.

          Linda

          [email protected]

            kennedy
            Participant

              I read intently your report about your case. I'm talking from Brazil and my case it's with my unique son with only 12 years old, and I'm still not sure about the melanoma since i have not the diagnosis yet and only tomorrow morning I will looking for a specialist. But here i'm have to search information alone and what I can tell you is that I feel impotent about melanoma. If you read my post you will discover why i'm telling this. First of all I feel very sorry that you're passing through this. There a saying that says something like that. It's easy say good things when all things sounds good to you. Hard is to say good things when the misfortune hits your family's door. I'm entering in the forum today and you're the first people i'm talking, and below is my related case.

              (I'm desperate, please help me) I'm from Brasil, my name is Kennedy Wanderley, I am a simple banking employee with few conditions and natural from a city named Caicó-RN and living into the Paraíba state since 1985 (25 years) and I have only one son named William Kennedy of only 12 years old who has since the early age shown signs characteristic of what medicine calls dysplastic nevi (I think this is the name). Today at 12 years old I think he has more than 30 signs on the back (mostly) and some close to the chest.

              I'm always worried about these signs because I noticed that a couple of them were growing up and blackening in the center with enlarged verticaly (plain before, now 2 or 3 mm high). Concerned with that, I decided to remove one on them with a plastic surgeon when he was about 7 years old (2007) and at that time I remember asking an detailed evaluation of it, but until now have not received a formal result, only verbal informations of negative result from biopsy material.

              From that time on I've got more relaxed, but I always get attentive and demanding that my wife sought a dermatologist regularly to keep up me informed, but she relegated this situation. My wife has a salon within a medical center here in Campina Grande, Paraíba State called MEDICAL CENTER SAN PIETRO, where she has several clients who are doctors, including a three dermatologists. But what she tells me is that although almost all of them had already superficially examined the boy, including his Pediatrician, none warned of the danger of that kind of signs, despite our insistence that he needed to be examined.

              Earlier this year (March), when we went five days on a beach, I noticed that one of the signs was irritated, half white and appearing signs of keratosis (I think this is the name). I was very worried and alerted again my wife of going to the dermatologist and she returned saying that as soon as we returned would look for one. With the difficulty in finding experts in Brazil and my carelessness the time gone by, only 15 days ago, I take a look acurately in the boy and took some pictures and then enlarge them, and investigate a little about melanome. Despite not being a doctor took a huge shock and I'm weak in the knees so far. Find a doctor friend of mine in the city of Joao Pessoa, Dr. José Romero (famous and experienced surgeon) who apparently was also alarmed and referred me to an oncologist surgeon in João Pessoa (PB) I'm going tomorrow 01/11/2011.

               I am very concerned and ask for the love of God that someone in the multidisciplinary  GROUP WHO STUDY  MELANOMA to give me some hope in the name of compassion, to monitor even at distance through the sending of pictures of the sings, examinations and details of the procedures to be adopted that I can send to you. I say this because it is my only child and I don't what to treaty him blindly with only one opinion. Please help me.

              Moreover, I know you are attuned to the most advanced centers in the world and can leave me about news on the topic. Finally, I can only pray that this e-mail fall into very humane hands, pious and sensitive and also can give any small relief to  my family already suffering from lung cancer in my mother aged 77, and a vocal cord cancer in my father at age 73 and now a possible melanoma on my son with only 12 years old.

               FOR GOD'S SAKE, HELP ME. Follow the photos. Note: malanoma unknown cases in the family, but his mother is blonde with few signs and my mother is white with some signs and his maternal grandmother, also has many signs.

              kennedy
              Participant

                I read intently your report about your case. I'm talking from Brazil and my case it's with my unique son with only 12 years old, and I'm still not sure about the melanoma since i have not the diagnosis yet and only tomorrow morning I will looking for a specialist. But here i'm have to search information alone and what I can tell you is that I feel impotent about melanoma. If you read my post you will discover why i'm telling this. First of all I feel very sorry that you're passing through this. There a saying that says something like that. It's easy say good things when all things sounds good to you. Hard is to say good things when the misfortune hits your family's door. I'm entering in the forum today and you're the first people i'm talking, and below is my related case.

                (I'm desperate, please help me) I'm from Brasil, my name is Kennedy Wanderley, I am a simple banking employee with few conditions and natural from a city named Caicó-RN and living into the Paraíba state since 1985 (25 years) and I have only one son named William Kennedy of only 12 years old who has since the early age shown signs characteristic of what medicine calls dysplastic nevi (I think this is the name). Today at 12 years old I think he has more than 30 signs on the back (mostly) and some close to the chest.

                I'm always worried about these signs because I noticed that a couple of them were growing up and blackening in the center with enlarged verticaly (plain before, now 2 or 3 mm high). Concerned with that, I decided to remove one on them with a plastic surgeon when he was about 7 years old (2007) and at that time I remember asking an detailed evaluation of it, but until now have not received a formal result, only verbal informations of negative result from biopsy material.

                From that time on I've got more relaxed, but I always get attentive and demanding that my wife sought a dermatologist regularly to keep up me informed, but she relegated this situation. My wife has a salon within a medical center here in Campina Grande, Paraíba State called MEDICAL CENTER SAN PIETRO, where she has several clients who are doctors, including a three dermatologists. But what she tells me is that although almost all of them had already superficially examined the boy, including his Pediatrician, none warned of the danger of that kind of signs, despite our insistence that he needed to be examined.

                Earlier this year (March), when we went five days on a beach, I noticed that one of the signs was irritated, half white and appearing signs of keratosis (I think this is the name). I was very worried and alerted again my wife of going to the dermatologist and she returned saying that as soon as we returned would look for one. With the difficulty in finding experts in Brazil and my carelessness the time gone by, only 15 days ago, I take a look acurately in the boy and took some pictures and then enlarge them, and investigate a little about melanome. Despite not being a doctor took a huge shock and I'm weak in the knees so far. Find a doctor friend of mine in the city of Joao Pessoa, Dr. José Romero (famous and experienced surgeon) who apparently was also alarmed and referred me to an oncologist surgeon in João Pessoa (PB) I'm going tomorrow 01/11/2011.

                 I am very concerned and ask for the love of God that someone in the multidisciplinary  GROUP WHO STUDY  MELANOMA to give me some hope in the name of compassion, to monitor even at distance through the sending of pictures of the sings, examinations and details of the procedures to be adopted that I can send to you. I say this because it is my only child and I don't what to treaty him blindly with only one opinion. Please help me.

                Moreover, I know you are attuned to the most advanced centers in the world and can leave me about news on the topic. Finally, I can only pray that this e-mail fall into very humane hands, pious and sensitive and also can give any small relief to  my family already suffering from lung cancer in my mother aged 77, and a vocal cord cancer in my father at age 73 and now a possible melanoma on my son with only 12 years old.

                 FOR GOD'S SAKE, HELP ME. Follow the photos. Note: malanoma unknown cases in the family, but his mother is blonde with few signs and my mother is white with some signs and his maternal grandmother, also has many signs.

                kennedy
                Participant

                  I read intently your report about your case. I'm talking from Brazil and my case it's with my unique son with only 12 years old, and I'm still not sure about the melanoma since i have not the diagnosis yet and only tomorrow morning I will looking for a specialist. But here i'm have to search information alone and what I can tell you is that I feel impotent about melanoma. If you read my post you will discover why i'm telling this. First of all I feel very sorry that you're passing through this. There a saying that says something like that. It's easy say good things when all things sounds good to you. Hard is to say good things when the misfortune hits your family's door. I'm entering in the forum today and you're the first people i'm talking, and below is my related case.

                  (I'm desperate, please help me) I'm from Brasil, my name is Kennedy Wanderley, I am a simple banking employee with few conditions and natural from a city named Caicó-RN and living into the Paraíba state since 1985 (25 years) and I have only one son named William Kennedy of only 12 years old who has since the early age shown signs characteristic of what medicine calls dysplastic nevi (I think this is the name). Today at 12 years old I think he has more than 30 signs on the back (mostly) and some close to the chest.

                  I'm always worried about these signs because I noticed that a couple of them were growing up and blackening in the center with enlarged verticaly (plain before, now 2 or 3 mm high). Concerned with that, I decided to remove one on them with a plastic surgeon when he was about 7 years old (2007) and at that time I remember asking an detailed evaluation of it, but until now have not received a formal result, only verbal informations of negative result from biopsy material.

                  From that time on I've got more relaxed, but I always get attentive and demanding that my wife sought a dermatologist regularly to keep up me informed, but she relegated this situation. My wife has a salon within a medical center here in Campina Grande, Paraíba State called MEDICAL CENTER SAN PIETRO, where she has several clients who are doctors, including a three dermatologists. But what she tells me is that although almost all of them had already superficially examined the boy, including his Pediatrician, none warned of the danger of that kind of signs, despite our insistence that he needed to be examined.

                  Earlier this year (March), when we went five days on a beach, I noticed that one of the signs was irritated, half white and appearing signs of keratosis (I think this is the name). I was very worried and alerted again my wife of going to the dermatologist and she returned saying that as soon as we returned would look for one. With the difficulty in finding experts in Brazil and my carelessness the time gone by, only 15 days ago, I take a look acurately in the boy and took some pictures and then enlarge them, and investigate a little about melanome. Despite not being a doctor took a huge shock and I'm weak in the knees so far. Find a doctor friend of mine in the city of Joao Pessoa, Dr. José Romero (famous and experienced surgeon) who apparently was also alarmed and referred me to an oncologist surgeon in João Pessoa (PB) I'm going tomorrow 01/11/2011.

                   I am very concerned and ask for the love of God that someone in the multidisciplinary  GROUP WHO STUDY  MELANOMA to give me some hope in the name of compassion, to monitor even at distance through the sending of pictures of the sings, examinations and details of the procedures to be adopted that I can send to you. I say this because it is my only child and I don't what to treaty him blindly with only one opinion. Please help me.

                  Moreover, I know you are attuned to the most advanced centers in the world and can leave me about news on the topic. Finally, I can only pray that this e-mail fall into very humane hands, pious and sensitive and also can give any small relief to  my family already suffering from lung cancer in my mother aged 77, and a vocal cord cancer in my father at age 73 and now a possible melanoma on my son with only 12 years old.

                   FOR GOD'S SAKE, HELP ME. Follow the photos. Note: malanoma unknown cases in the family, but his mother is blonde with few signs and my mother is white with some signs and his maternal grandmother, also has many signs.

                lhaley
                Participant

                  My procedure was 2 weeks ago today.  The technical name was SRS    Stereotatic Radiation.  The machine was called Novalis.  It's basically the same as gamma knife – I can't really explain the difference.   Instead of them using a halo type of frame they instead used a mask that hooks you to the table.   I'm sure that each procedure is slightly different and this could be a question to ask your radiologist.  So far this has been pretty painless.

                  They gave me the choice of the following…. nothing, an IV to calm me or to take valium.  I was not to be asleep so I had to make sure that I didn't move at all.  I did one valium the time they made the mask. While it worked enough I was a lot more anxious going into the procedure. Took 1 valium about an hour before and then took a second one about 20 min before.  The Dr met with my husband and I right after the procedure and we discussed a few things.  I was able to totally discuss and remember that was told to me. 

                  We drove home and had a little more than 2 hours ride.  Slept most of the way and when I got home I called and talked to my son on the phone.  

                  Yesterday we had to quickly drive back to Charlotte because of  a really bad headache. The mri showed so far it's exactly the same as the 10th, bleeding has stopped.  Evidently right now I'm having some steroid weaning issues.  It's too early to show if it is working but next scan has now been moved to 3 weeks (was supposed to be 2 weeks but because of yesterdays scan they are giving 1 more week).  Talked today with my neurosurgeon and told me that with the next scan if I haven't started to show responding will be put right in the hospital and do the crainectomy.   I also was told that if I have any headache I'm not to just sit here I'm to call immediately.  

                  There is so much information to gather it all, understand it all and just remember it!  The nurses have been wonderful and have constantly communication making sure that they repeat that if we have any problem.   Yesterday when the headache I called the wrong DR.  and it ended up I called my oncologist instead of the neurosurgeon.  He ended up being on call and just handled it all and then today they called to make sure who I should have called just incase I need to again.   

                  Just a bit wordy, if you need to talk send me an e-mail.

                  Linda

                  [email protected]

                  lhaley
                  Participant

                    My procedure was 2 weeks ago today.  The technical name was SRS    Stereotatic Radiation.  The machine was called Novalis.  It's basically the same as gamma knife – I can't really explain the difference.   Instead of them using a halo type of frame they instead used a mask that hooks you to the table.   I'm sure that each procedure is slightly different and this could be a question to ask your radiologist.  So far this has been pretty painless.

                    They gave me the choice of the following…. nothing, an IV to calm me or to take valium.  I was not to be asleep so I had to make sure that I didn't move at all.  I did one valium the time they made the mask. While it worked enough I was a lot more anxious going into the procedure. Took 1 valium about an hour before and then took a second one about 20 min before.  The Dr met with my husband and I right after the procedure and we discussed a few things.  I was able to totally discuss and remember that was told to me. 

                    We drove home and had a little more than 2 hours ride.  Slept most of the way and when I got home I called and talked to my son on the phone.  

                    Yesterday we had to quickly drive back to Charlotte because of  a really bad headache. The mri showed so far it's exactly the same as the 10th, bleeding has stopped.  Evidently right now I'm having some steroid weaning issues.  It's too early to show if it is working but next scan has now been moved to 3 weeks (was supposed to be 2 weeks but because of yesterdays scan they are giving 1 more week).  Talked today with my neurosurgeon and told me that with the next scan if I haven't started to show responding will be put right in the hospital and do the crainectomy.   I also was told that if I have any headache I'm not to just sit here I'm to call immediately.  

                    There is so much information to gather it all, understand it all and just remember it!  The nurses have been wonderful and have constantly communication making sure that they repeat that if we have any problem.   Yesterday when the headache I called the wrong DR.  and it ended up I called my oncologist instead of the neurosurgeon.  He ended up being on call and just handled it all and then today they called to make sure who I should have called just incase I need to again.   

                    Just a bit wordy, if you need to talk send me an e-mail.

                    Linda

                    [email protected]

                    AlanM
                    Participant
                      I had a gamma knife procedure in May. They do attach a halo to the head with four pointy screws. The area is treated prior with novacaine or something similar so I did not really feel it at the time. Afterwards the points of attachment were sore and numb for several days if not weeks, but at this point cannot notice anything. The biggest issue I had was the steroid given to reduce swelling, decedron, really made it impossible to sleep. Other than that no real issues. At the six month followup my met had shrunk by 2mm. Have another MRI planned for mid November and hoping for more of the same!

                      Best of luck with the procedure

                      Alan

                      AlanM
                      Participant
                        I had a gamma knife procedure in May. They do attach a halo to the head with four pointy screws. The area is treated prior with novacaine or something similar so I did not really feel it at the time. Afterwards the points of attachment were sore and numb for several days if not weeks, but at this point cannot notice anything. The biggest issue I had was the steroid given to reduce swelling, decedron, really made it impossible to sleep. Other than that no real issues. At the six month followup my met had shrunk by 2mm. Have another MRI planned for mid November and hoping for more of the same!

                        Best of luck with the procedure

                        Alan

                        AlanM
                        Participant
                          I had a gamma knife procedure in May. They do attach a halo to the head with four pointy screws. The area is treated prior with novacaine or something similar so I did not really feel it at the time. Afterwards the points of attachment were sore and numb for several days if not weeks, but at this point cannot notice anything. The biggest issue I had was the steroid given to reduce swelling, decedron, really made it impossible to sleep. Other than that no real issues. At the six month followup my met had shrunk by 2mm. Have another MRI planned for mid November and hoping for more of the same!

                          Best of luck with the procedure

                          Alan

                          momof2kids
                          Participant

                            I had the Gamma Knife back in July 2011.  Same thing, you can barely feel them put it on, just a bit of pushing it onto your head to make it stay on, I didn't cry, etc during any of it (and I hate pain!), so it wasn't painful.

                            The nurses were super nice, I was the only one there that morning, so I had 2 nurses all to myself.

                            I had one checkup since then, that showed my tumors were shrinking, and I'm due for another scan/brain doctor appointment now in November, so hopefully it'll show more shrinkage (and NO NEW TUMORS!).

                            I do still get some aching in the back left of my head where one of halo pins was pushed against my head at, which the Brain doctor didn't seem concerned with last time, it still aches time to time in that same spot, so I'll mention it again and see what they say.

                            GOOD LUCK with it when the time comes!

                            momof2kids
                            Participant

                              I had the Gamma Knife back in July 2011.  Same thing, you can barely feel them put it on, just a bit of pushing it onto your head to make it stay on, I didn't cry, etc during any of it (and I hate pain!), so it wasn't painful.

                              The nurses were super nice, I was the only one there that morning, so I had 2 nurses all to myself.

                              I had one checkup since then, that showed my tumors were shrinking, and I'm due for another scan/brain doctor appointment now in November, so hopefully it'll show more shrinkage (and NO NEW TUMORS!).

                              I do still get some aching in the back left of my head where one of halo pins was pushed against my head at, which the Brain doctor didn't seem concerned with last time, it still aches time to time in that same spot, so I'll mention it again and see what they say.

                              GOOD LUCK with it when the time comes!

                              momof2kids
                              Participant

                                I had the Gamma Knife back in July 2011.  Same thing, you can barely feel them put it on, just a bit of pushing it onto your head to make it stay on, I didn't cry, etc during any of it (and I hate pain!), so it wasn't painful.

                                The nurses were super nice, I was the only one there that morning, so I had 2 nurses all to myself.

                                I had one checkup since then, that showed my tumors were shrinking, and I'm due for another scan/brain doctor appointment now in November, so hopefully it'll show more shrinkage (and NO NEW TUMORS!).

                                I do still get some aching in the back left of my head where one of halo pins was pushed against my head at, which the Brain doctor didn't seem concerned with last time, it still aches time to time in that same spot, so I'll mention it again and see what they say.

                                GOOD LUCK with it when the time comes!

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