Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 3/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am 25 years old female. 10 years back I had a surgery for the removal of lipoma ( right cerebello pontine angle lipoma).Again now it has reoccured near my brain stem.It is causing dizziness.I have been advised for cyberknife treatment by Dr. Is this treatment suitable for my problem ? Is this safe? or surgery is recommended? I am much worried. Please help me.

ANSWER: It may very well be! It is probably safer than surgery, especially at that location! I think you should follow the recommendations of your dr!
Good luck!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks a lot.. The cyberknife doctors told me that this is very  first time they are going to treat the lipoma by cyberknife method & at this age(25) if I am exposed to radiation (cyberknife) the chances cancer are very high..So I am confused..Please help me

Answer
Well I will be frank with you - perhaps brutally frank! Your problem now is a tumor you already HAVE - it is a fact - and it is causing you problems severe enough for your drs. to suggest this treatment - or they would not have suggested any treatment in the first place. Surgery there would probably be much more risky and dangerous due to the critical location of your tumor. People panic the moment they hear the word radiation. But radiation - to some degree - is a part of our normal natural environment. The risk increase of a POTENTIAL not yet existing and perhaps never existing tumor is rather small compared to the risk you already do HAVE due to your EXISTING tumor. So I suggest that you concentrate on your existing problem and NOT on a potential not existing problem! If I were you I would accept the cyberKnife without much hesitation. But of course in this situation the choice is yours.
Good luck!