Joined: 4/28/2009
Posts: 1
|
I have been diagnosed with a spinal tumor via a MRI (C-Spine & T-Spine, w & w/o contrast) and have consulted a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The tumor is located from C4 to C6 with cysts above & below the tumor. My case was presented at the tumor conference and general consensus is that I should have complex risky surgery to obtain a tissue sample to determine if it is a Ependomoma or a Astrocytoma. If it is a Ependomoma they will try to remove it and but if it is a Astrocytoma they will leave it alone. Follow up treatment would be Radiation and/or Chemotherapy. If I do nothing I will eventually be paralyzed from the neck down and on a ventilator but the risk of surgery can also leave me paralyzed. Would I be a candidate for the Cyberknife? I am an active 43 yr old female that does not want to undergo risky surgery. My plan is to consult a neurosurgeon at St Mary's Hospital/Seton Cancer Center in Saginaw, Michigan where they do Cyberknife surgery. Please advise. Thanks, Lisa Drury
|
Joined: 10/10/2008
Posts: 2354
|
I can't speak to the surgical question, since I am not a surgeon. From a CK perspective, these represent a difficult problem because of imaging considerations. In addition, it is always difficult to treat a fairly large tumor in the middle of a small very critical structure like the spinal cord. I would ask the people in Saginaw (good folks, by the way) if they have experience with intramedullary tumors. If not, then I might consider going to someplace like Stanford where they have a fair amount of experience
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
|