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SRS "Cyber knife" advice?

Winner123 profile image
11 Replies

Hello all. My wife has TNBC with mets to lungs and brain. We have been putting off Stereo tactic Radiosurgery (SRS) as the brain mets were shrinking. This has lasted a few months but last scan shows possible progression of brain mets. Our Oncologist thinks now is the time to do SRS to the brain. We only put it off due to the possibility of damage/ issues with SRS as apposed to no treatment while they were shrinking. Does anyone have any personal experience of SRS to brain mets? Any warnings of issues or story's of good news? I'd really appreciate any honest feedback so we know what we are getting into. Thank you all in advance.

XXX ♥️

Leo and Susie

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Winner123 profile image
Winner123
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11 Replies
Buffwright profile image
Buffwright

Hi, In Jan 2021, had gamma knife radiation for brain mets, which is very targeted, and doesn’t do extensive damage to other tissues. So far so good!

Winner123 profile image
Winner123 in reply toBuffwright

Thank you, that's great to hear..long may that continue!! XXX ❤️

Nikita1806 profile image
Nikita1806

My mom got srs for two brain lesions. One small and one quite big. It was a quick process and she was feeling normal after that. Nothing really to worry and no side effects so far. Its been 4 months.

Winner123 profile image
Winner123 in reply toNikita1806

Thank you, this will also be reassuring for Susie. I hope your mom's great progress continues! XXX ♥️

Nikita1806 profile image
Nikita1806 in reply toWinner123

Wishing you good luck. :) Everything will be alright. ❤️

Andersl profile image
Andersl

I had SRS last August. Only side effect was fatigue. The treatment is very safe and effective.

My advice is, don't delay any longer. The brain mets are highly likely to grow. There is a maximum size outside of which SRS is no.longer an option.

Happy to answer any further questions

Winner123 profile image
Winner123 in reply toAndersl

When we started, Susie had a large cystic lesion that they wouldn't treat with SRS. We have actually managed to shrink it so they CAN now treat it with SRS. You are totally right, we don't want to miss this. X

LadyKatarina profile image
LadyKatarina

I was dx de novo with one brain tumor and one primary (breast) tumor. Since the 1.5 cm brain tumor was right on top, they did a craniotomy first, and then follow-up SRS to the tumor bed to get rid of residual cells. The treatment time for that was very short. It is painless--even tho a bit scary if you have issues with the mask and being held securely. My hospital has a linear accelerator for SRS--the "Cyber Knife" is another piece of equipment from what I understand. It has been almost 4 years and I have had no more brain mets. I am E pos--very rare type to have had a single brain met and no other mets. Ask lots of questions of your team to make sure you are comfortable with what is happening--but it all should go well. We are lucky to live in an age where all this technology is available! Best to you. And a PS--after the surgeries I started systemic therapy--and those drugs have been much more debilitating than the SRS!

Winner123 profile image
Winner123 in reply toLadyKatarina

Thank you so much. I've told Susie, it's reasuring

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI

I had stereotactic radiation for two "small" mets in the right inferior cerebellum last fall. MRIs every three months have shown no signs of cancer in the brain. Everyone's experience is different, of course, but I found that whole experience utterly fascinating! Everybody in the rad dept of the cancer center was warm, friendly, encouraging and helpful! There was a computer room just outside the treatment room with at least 8 computer screens and members of the treatment team at each one, kinda like what we see on TV for a launch into space! Seriously, the technology is incredible, and focusing on that is alot better than focusing on fears! The actual rad treatment lasted just seconds, with all the prep taking alot more time than that. It wasn't painful. For me, climbing onto the table was the biggest physical challenge. About the mask, I didn't find it intrusive--kinda like wearing a Halloween mask. The not being able to move part is a challenge for some but I'm used to holding still for other things and wasn't really bothered by that. Patients where I was are given the mask when the rad tx is done and they have photos of how we've decorated them! I thought about putting a wig, evening gown and jewelry on mine. Finding humor and the light side of this stuff has helped me, not to avoid death or disability and I've worked on those head on, including talks with my family and close friends. It helps that I believe death is not the end but transformation to something better.....my faith is strong and pretty open. If I ever have to have more brain rads, the treatment won't be scary. Oh, I should add that my cats were quite attentive when I got home! Such intuitive creatures!

Winner123 profile image
Winner123

Thank you for your response, you really do have a great attitude towards this. XXX ❤️

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