Visit with Dr Flynn

Dad saw Dr Flynn yesterday. He reported that the cough dad has is related to the radiation and it is basically a tickel in the throat that can't be stopped right now. In time it will disappear and the dry climate in Arizona will help this process. (This news made dad very happy)
Dr. Flynn had not gotten the radiology report on the latest MRI of dad's brain so the visit was a little anti-climatic. He did go find the xrays and noted that he sees that the tumors have shrunk. Dad is off all meds related to the cancer and is working now at gaining some weight. He's down to 160 pounds. Hopefully he'll start gaining it back now that radiation treatments have ended.
Dad will be seeing a new Dr. on October 18 at the U of M. He will be looking at all the MRI's and determine if dad qualifies for another treatment called Sterotactic Radiosurgery. What Dr. Flynn referred to as a "booster shot" of radiation. For more technical information read on:
Definition:
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treats brain disorders with a precise delivery of a single, high dose of radiation in a one-day session. Focused radiation beams are delivered to a specific area of the brain to treat abnormalities, tumors or functional disorders.
Surgery:
Radiosurgery (one-session treatment) has such a dramatic effect in the target zone that the changes are considered "surgical." Through the use of three-dimensional computer-aided planning and the high degree of immobilization, the treatment can minimize the amount of radiation that passes through healthy brain tissue. Stereotactic radiosurgery is routinely used to treat brain tumors and lesions. It may be the primary treatment, used when a tumor is inaccessible by surgical means; or as a boost or adjunct to other treatments for a recurring or malignant tumor. In some cases, it may be inappropriate.


How it Works:
Stereotactic radiosurgery works the same as all other forms of radiation treatment. It does not remove the tumor or lesion, but it distorts the DNA of the tumor cells. The cells then lose their ability to reproduce and retain fluids. The tumor reduction occurs at the rate of normal growth for the specific tumor cell. In lesions such as AVMs (a tangle of blood vessels in the brain), radiosurgery causes the blood vessels to thicken and close off. The shrinking of a tumor or closing off of a vessel occurs over a period of time. For benign tumors and vessels, this will usually be 18 months to two years. For malignant or metastatic tumors, results may be seen in a few months, because these cells are very fast-growing.


Side Effects:
Swelling: As with all radiation treatments, the cells of the irradiated tumors lose their ability to regulate fluids, and edema or swelling may occur. This does not happen in all treatments. If swelling does occur, and it causes symptoms that are unpleasant, then a mild course of steroid medication may be given to reduce the fluid within the tumor cavity.

For more information you can click here


IF he qualifies for this treatment it would take place November 1st at the U of M. It is a one day treatment. He would then have some CT scans of the lungs and pelvis on November 3 and see Dr. Flynn one more time. If all looks good they can then head to Arizona. Dr. Flynn is quite anxious for dad to be able to get to a warmer climate and sees no reason he can't make the trip.

We'll keep you posted.