What is Stereotactic Radio Surgery & some information please?

[Beatless]

I think I'm going to be offered this at Addenbrooks for Brain Cancer.

Questions are:-

How many sessions require?

Do you stay in hospital?

Is it a hard treatment to take/side effects?

I'm told they could be doubtful on treatment because walking is poor, why does this matter?

Does treatment kill tumour and over how long?

[Elt79]

I had SRS for my brain mets twice. It will depend how many and size how many sessions I think. I only needed one session for 2 small mets in November 2018 had to take dexamethasone before and after to counteract any swelling caused. The planning and having mask made is more uncomfortable than treatment! But not painful at all.

I had some regrowth two years later, 3 mets, December 2020 so had to have repeat treatment. My side effects were minimal - dexamethasone affected my sleep but not on them for long and then some tiredness. Lost my hair specifically where they target the radiation but does come back eventually. Wishing you the best of luck hope all goes well 🤞🤞🤞❤️

[Beatless in reply to Elt79]

Elt 79, That is really good information. I will note down at home ready for Friday meeting.

If others have similar information as to my question list I would be very grateful for replies. My full question list was/is:-

How many sessions require?

Do you stay in hospital?

Is it a hard treatment to take/side effects?

I'm told they could be doubtful on treatment because walking is poor, why does this matter?

Does treatment kill tumour and over how long?

Thanks for your support

[Elt79 in reply to Beatless]

I didn’t stay in only took 40 minutes both times but I had no mobility issues - my tumour in speech area so lost speech this is how I found out. Ok now. x

[Beatless]

Elt79, Many thanks for the information as I say all information & support helps.

Glad you have recovered well

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

HI Beatless

This link from Macmillan support provides some good information on Stereotactic radiosurgery, which may answer all your questions: macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

You may find our booklet on brain metastases of use: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

You may only have 1 treatment, or it may be over a number of days, your oncologist team will advise. The hope is the treatment will reduce, shrink the tumour and stop the cancer growing.

If there is anything you would like to discuss from the links, you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Hope all goes well for you.

The Roy Castle Support Team

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Beatless

I meant to add in that Stereotactic radiosurgery, uses many precise focused beams of radiation to target tumours of the brain, it is non surgical radiotherapy.

All the information on this can be found on the links I placed in my last post, but wanted to give you an answer to your initial question as to what it is.

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Beatless in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thanks, got it

[Beatless in reply to Beatless]

Went to Addenbrookes Friday for consideration for Stereotactic Brain Therapy, unfortunately I was rejected as I can't walk well enough.

Have been put onto Steroids & am to see original Oncologist in one week.

My question, what do you think he will offer?

Will it be a different type of Brain Radiotherapy/some other treatment?

Just looking for advise so I know what questions to ask.

Think they are hopping the Steroids reduce swelling to give me better movement.

So please on what do you think treatment I will be offered & what questions to ask

Thanks

[Beatless in reply to Beatless]

Hope this was posted, can't see it in new posts!