Joined: 2/2/2009
Posts: 1
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Dear Doctor: My wife had breast cancer some 20 years ago and as a result had her left breast and numerous lymph glands removed. She underwent chemotherapy and we thought she was "cured". In the past year it was discovered that the breast cancer had reappeared, this time in her bones. This was totally unexpected by us and we did not even know breast cancer could occur in bones. To say we were flabber-gasted is the understatement of the year. My wife has undergone extensive radiation and 3 different chemodrugs to date. We recently went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL for a second opinion. We sought this because the tumor cell count results continue to increase each month and frankly speaking, my wife was losing confidence in her local doctor for several reasons: the dr. said she could not undergo any more radiation because her body had reached its limits. And, he felt the chemodrugs were doing their "job" even though the tumor cell counts were increasing each month, however slightly (8 points on average, but 24 the last time). The dr. tried to explain that he is also concerned with her quality of life and not just in "zapping" her tumors. Of course my wife wants to be rid of the cancer and return to her life. The local doctor stated he had no knowledge of Cyber Knife treatments, which worried us because even if he does not have the equipment, he should know about treatment options out in the big world. The Mayo doctors said they did not think Cyber Knife would be of any benefit and they agreed her body had undergone radiation to the point where it is only a last resort to be considered. Our questions to you are, is all of this by the local and Mayo doctors "crap" or is she a viable candidate for Cyber Knife surgery? Should we go to a Cyber Knife Center for personal observation and guidance? What are the immediate effects of CK surgery, by this I mean, would she have to stay there for a few days/weeks before returning home; would it be safe to ride in a car afterwards; is chemotherapy required after surgery; etc? Any guidance/information you could provide us would be deepy appreciated. Thanking you in advance for your attention to this most important and pressing matter. Warmest regards, Steve Hogan
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Joined: 10/10/2008
Posts: 2346
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There is no lifetime maximum for radiation, but there may be limits at any one site. It is difficult to know whether CK would be helpful. It certainly would not be able to cure her, but it might be helpful in treating problem areas. The major reason for spine treatment in our center, for instance, is that people have had "all the radiation they can get" to the spine, and the superior accuracy of the CK allows us to treat them successfully with low risk. CK can also be used in other bones. I woiuld have her case reviewed by a CK center there in Florida and let them advise you.
Clinton A. Medbery, III, M.D.
St. Anthony Hospital Cyberknife Center
(405) 272-7311
buddy@swrads.org
Mail to:
Clinton A. Medbery, III, M.D.
Southwest Radiation Oncology
1011 N. Dewey Ave. #101
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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