How long after gamma knife will i see any changes to my AN ?

[Cwk123]

Hi, i had gamma knife sept 23 and I've just had a scan sept 24. I do have a telephone appointment with my consultant early november and i have to admit i'm quite anxious regarding any results. I was told when i had the gamma knife that they dont expect it to stabilise and shrink for at least a year, and in the first year it can still grow. Regarding my symptoms i dont feel that much different. Sometimes i feel maybe my hearing is slightly worse, more headache, but i think getting headache could be more down to lifestyle. Sometimes dizzy, but i find I'm more dizzy when i haven't eaten. Also can you have gamma knife more then once, and also once the tumour has started to shrink, is there a chance it can start to grown again. Female aged 49. X

[flappers]

The scanxiety stage is horrible… waiting for results is my least favourite time. You’re so right about headaches being more about other things, stress and worry definitely contributes, as does dehydration and not eating properly! Your body/brain is still healing so you need high protein little and often helps with the dizzy etc and any fatigue. Re results, I’m not sure there is one clear answer.. For me, it showed a slight increase in size at my 18 month scan ( King’s hospital London don’t even bother with the year, as they know there is still lots going on from the cyberknife) but they said it’s swelling and not to worry. I’m due my next scan in a couple of weeks…and have a telephone follow up already booked in at the end of the month for results. Most people I speak to had no growth or slight shrinkage after gamma/cyber/linac ( all forms of radiation treatment, so hopefully that’ll be you early on in this process… It’s successful in stopping growth completely in over 90 percent I was told so very good odds! Try to distract yourself, be kind and gentle to yourself too. It’sa long game unfortunately, but you are definitely on the right road to adapting and healing, let us know how you get on! 🤞💐

[flappers in reply to flappers]

PS DRINK MORE WATER, Lin x

[bypass]

They always say that you need two years for a reliable indicator. Sometimes people have a six month scan which shows apparent growth and causes understandable panic; however this is normally (but not always) post treatment swelling which will vanish by 12 months post treatment. Good luck, GK is a very successful and well proven treatment

[LikeBillyo]

I had gamma knife surgery in September 21. First couple of yearly scans showed slight growth, but that was put down to probable post op swelling. I had my latest scan in September 24, and there has been shrinkage this time. I've been moved to 2 yearly scans now.

I don't feel any better or worse symptom-wise, but I'm relieved that it's going on the right direction at last!

[Bob36]

Also had slight swelling after my gamma knife surgery. Apparently very normal to see some growth in the first year, but the second scan saw better results. I remember the words bizarrely - ‘necrotising nicely’!! Had 6 month scan, then yearly for 2 years and then to every 2 years. Just been discharged after 10 years! Hasn’t changed in 8 years and unlikely to now. Post gamma knife I remember being super tired and my hearing has got worse over the years. Headaches on that side were always a symptom but not so much in recent years. Good luck with your results.

[Cwk123]

Just had my follow up after having my gamma knive 2023, i was told there was some signs of swelling also they could see some signs of the cells were necrotic, i beleive starting to die. Next scan will be in a year. So they did say it's going in the right direction. They didn't really offer any more info then that, i guess they dont really know what could happen. Just have to wait and see

[Drex74]

post gamma knife symptoms really depend on how big your neuroma is and how long you was in the machine for, I got some quite bad symptoms but these can happen anything from 6months to 4 years later, mine were about 2 years.

The gamma knife is working though and scans show cells are dying inside the tumour. I was told shrinkage is a bonus but personally not to expect it but they are seeing what they are looking for and if my scan in February shows the same (4th one) then they will move scans from one year to two

Good luck