Shot in the dark: cyberknife?

FeistyFille

Does anyone have experience or know of someone who has undergone treatments using the cyberknife?

ndluvsrk

I haven't heard anything about that.

Is this something your mom's partner is researching? He continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

FeistyFille

ndluvsrk:

I haven't heard anything about that.

Is this something your mom's partner is researching? He continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Yes.  It's been suggested that it could be an alternative to the whipple, but I have no real info on it yet.  Just started reading up on it this morning.

ETA: And thank you. 

2H2L

ndluvsrk:

I haven't heard anything about that.

Is this something your mom's partner is researching? He continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Me tooo

FeistyFille

Thanks, 2H2L.

Yeah, upon further reading it seems to only be available through clinical trial in pancreatic cancer patients (at Stanford).  And hasn't been shown to be any more effective than more conventional forms of radiation therapy.  But we shall see.

mcurban

I know you didn't ask this, but if you are looking for a radiologist, Dr. Dziuk is uh-mazing. As a person, as a dr., just fantastic.

DH's surgeon was *really* impressed w/ the size of the tumor and the accuracy w/  Dr. Dziuk's team. And, as you know, there was (ahem) a lot at steak if their measurements were even a fraction off. 

FeistyFille

mcurban:

I know you didn't ask this, but if you are looking for a radiologist, Dr. Dziuk is uh-mazing. As a person, as a dr., just fantastic.

DH's surgeon was *really* impressed w/ the size of the tumor and the accuracy w/  Dr. Dziuk's team. And, as you know, there was (ahem) a lot at steak if their measurements were even a fraction off. 

Thanks.  Is he/she in Austin or at MDAnderson?

m_and_m

My dad did, but it was for brain cancer and it was about 8 years ago. He travelled from AK to Seattle to have it done at UW.
Is the trial based at Stanford, or all treatments are taking place there? A lot of trials will have Dr's participating all over the place- the last trial my dad did was based at UCLA, I think.

FeistyFille

m_and_m:

My dad did, but it was for brain cancer and it was about 8 years ago. He travelled from AK to Seattle to have it done at UW.
Is the trial based at Stanford, or all treatments are taking place there? A lot of trials will have Dr's participating all over the place- the last trial my dad did was based at UCLA, I think.

I'm really not sure yet.  I'm still reading up on it between trying to get some work done.  The only location I've read so far is Stanford Med School.  The link I added above is from a facility here in Austin so I may try to contact them to get more info.

Could I maybe email you about the experience your dad had with this?

mcurban

FeistyFille:

Thanks.  Is he/she in Austin or at MDAnderson?

Austin. Right down the street from Seton (downtown). I don't know for sure if he only works w/ patients from Texas Oncology, but it would be worth calling. If you are looking for a local oncologist, Jon saw Dr. Fain w/ Texas Oncology. Also a big fan. He was more than happy to collaborate w/ Jon's surgeon at MDA. 

m_and_m

Sure, no problem. I'll tell you everything I know.

s-a-r-a-h

FeistyFille:

m_and_m:

My dad did, but it was for brain cancer and it was about 8 years ago. He travelled from AK to Seattle to have it done at UW.
Is the trial based at Stanford, or all treatments are taking place there? A lot of trials will have Dr's participating all over the place- the last trial my dad did was based at UCLA, I think.

I'm really not sure yet.  I'm still reading up on it between trying to get some work done.  The only location I've read so far is Stanford Med School.  The link I added above is from a facility here in Austin so I may try to contact them to get more info.

Could I maybe email you about the experience your dad had with this?

I don't have any personal experience with it, but I'm pretty sure Brackenridge has a cyberknife.

FeistyFille

s-a-r-a-h:

FeistyFille:

m_and_m:

My dad did, but it was for brain cancer and it was about 8 years ago. He travelled from AK to Seattle to have it done at UW.
Is the trial based at Stanford, or all treatments are taking place there? A lot of trials will have Dr's participating all over the place- the last trial my dad did was based at UCLA, I think.

I'm really not sure yet.  I'm still reading up on it between trying to get some work done.  The only location I've read so far is Stanford Med School.  The link I added above is from a facility here in Austin so I may try to contact them to get more info.

Could I maybe email you about the experience your dad had with this?

I don't have any personal experience with it, but I'm pretty sure Brackenridge has a cyberknife.

They do.  It's just whether or not they work with pancreatic cancer patients.  As far as I've read, it's only in phase II clinical trials for that particular cancer so only limited people are going to be doing it.

fjaril

we aren't far from standford and could probably house your family if you'll end up there...

still lots of good thoughts their way!

FeistyFille

fjaril:

we aren't far from standford and could probably house your family if you'll end up there...

still lots of good thoughts their way!

That is so very kind of you to offer.  Thank you.  

I have no idea what they're planning to do yet.  They're meeting with their doctors and will discuss this as a possibility and then probably get a consult from physicians who use the CK.  No idea if or when this is all going to happen, but thank you again.

jeffm5690

There is a Cyberknife center in NY on Long Island that I am almost certain treats cancers of the pancreas.  In fact, if you call them they will have a doctor review the information on the phone to see if the person is a candidate.  The definitely dont turn people away due to trial reasons.

 It's called Cyberknife of Long Island.

 Google them and try giving them a call.

 Good Luck.