Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/23/2012

Question
QUESTION: Hi

I've recently been  diagnosed with an Epidermoid Cyst/Tumour which Left Cerabellopontine Angle, medial aspect of my Temporal Lobe with some attached to my brainstem. My main symptoms are temporal lobe seizures and short term memory loss. I have been looking into gamma knife treatment. Through this research I know that my Epidermoid is too large to be treated with the Gamma knife alone, and a Craniotomy would be used to treat the bulk of my tumour. I know that a full removal of the tumour is unlikely and that it will slowly grow back.
I was wondering if the remaining smaller percentage of the tumour could be treated with a gamma knife rather than having repeated craniotomies through my life.I am seeing my neurosurgeon in two weeks and would like some information in order to pose this question to him.

ANSWER: Yes that is most probably possible. But you should discuss this with your neurosurgeon! Good luck!


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

QUESTION: Thank you for you quick reply

Would you be able to direct me to research or evidence for the successful use of Gamma Knife on Epidermoids? There is very little information about this on the internet. I am terrified of repeated invasive surgeries for this condition and it is negatively impacting on my well being. I am very anxious.

Answer
ANY kind of brain tumourlike lesion, if not too big, can be treated with the GammaKnife! But I'm not aware of any specific published work on epidermoids. But contact the Department of neurosurgery of the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden (www.karolinska.se) phone (exchange): 00-46-8-51770000. They have extensive experience of using the GammaKnife, especially as it was invented by their previous professor of neurosurgery, the late Lars Leksell, M.D., Ph.D.
Since both Britain and Sweden are EU members you can even be treated there if you want! In Sweden the GammaKnife is usually in Swedish called Leksells kula (= Leksell's sphere).


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