My Story of
Gamma Knife Treatment
for an Acoustic Neuroma -
Rocky Mountain Gamma Knife Center
Univ. of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado
By Russ Doren
June, 2021
Almost 20 years ago, I received Gamma Knife treatment for a 12 mm benign acoustic neuroma in my left ear. I had been having some balance issues, hearing loss in my left ear, and ringing in my ears (Tinnitus). Because of early diagnosis, a small acoustic neuroma was discovered, and I was fortunate enough to have a number of different treatment options. I chose gamma radiation treatment in the form of Gamma Knife radioneurosurgery to kill the tumor as opposed to major brain surgery to remove the tumor. I did not choose major invasive brain surgery, since my tumor was relatively small, and this surgery can last many hours and result in long recovery periods.
I have had excellent results from gamma radiation treatment and have developed this website in order to help others understand what Gamma Knife treatment can do for a small to medium sized Acoustic Neuroma (under 30 mm) as opposed to radical surgery.
At the top of each page, I have included links to the following:
1. My home page with an introduction and my original Gamma Knife story.
2. Gamma Knife studies and Hearing loss issues discussion
3. Complete set of photographs of my experience receiving Gamma Knife
Treatment
4. Copies of all MRI’s of my neuroma through the last 20 years
5. A 'Neuroma Notes' page of various comments through the years
6. All hearing test results through the last 20 years
7. A page of photos, diagrams, screen snapshots, and a youtube link to a
neuroma video
8. A final page showing My ‘Shrinking Neuroma’ video
I hope you enjoy my website, and I plan to update it as time goes on. Please feel free to email me (rdoren2@me.com) and let me know what you think, comments you might have, etc.
Regards,
Russ Doren
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Now, here’s my story, as first posted almost 20 years ago...
On November 12, 2001, I received gamma knife stereotactic radioneurosurgery for an acoustic neuroma. The tumor was buried deep in my left inner auditory canal. I studied all possible treatments for neuromas before I finally chose gamma knife stereotactic surgery over conventional surgery. I hope others can learn from my story, so I have included a series of image links to show what I went through the day of my gamma surgery.
Background:
I knew something was wrong with my hearing for almost a year, but I never suspected what the doctors discovered. I began noticing a slight hearing loss in my left ear more than 3 years ago. As a high school biology teacher, I knew a problem was developing, because I could no longer distinguish individual conversation from background noise. I guess I attributed the loss to getting older (I'm 50). Slowly, though, I also developed a distinct ringing in my left ear which would come and go and an occasional problem with balance. The hearing loss, ringing in my ear, and balance problems worried me. I made an appointment with my Dr. at Kaiser Permanente and I explained my symptoms. He recommended I see an audiologist, so he set up an appointment for me. A few weeks later, the audiologist ran a hearing test. I had a distinct drop-off of hearing in my left ear from mid to high range. She said she would talk to the neurologist she worked with about my results and they would give me a call.
The neurologist recommended an MRI, since hearing loss on only one side was suspicious. Therefore, on Memorial Day, 2001, I had an MRI, without contrast. About a week later, the neurosurgeon's office called me to come in for an appointment to discuss the results of my MRI. Needless to say, I was very shocked at what he told me.
My appointment with the neurologist took place on June 11, 2001. After a little small talk to break the ice, he showed me the MRI results. He pointed out my inner ear canals, first the normal one on the right side and then the left canal. It was obvious that there was a grey mass of some kind filling my left inner ear canal. He told me it was an acoustic neuroma, a slow-growing benign tumor that infects about 1 in every 100,000 people. This type of tumor, if left untreated, would eventually compress my brain stem and/or cranial nerves and would lead to serious side effects or death. He then gave me my options.
One option was surgery. There were at least 3 different approaches to the surgery, all of which involved at least 6 hours on the operating table. I would require a week or so in the hospital and much rehabilitation at home before returning to work. The surgery would more than likely leave me deaf in my left ear, and I would also lose my balance nerve on that side. They hoped they could save my facial nerve so I wouldn't suffer facial paralysis. This option scared me to death.
He also mentioned gamma knife surgery. This would involve using gamma radiation from a Cobalt-60 radiation source to irradiate my tumor. This could be done without invasive surgery, with few side effects, and in just one day. The doctor said I was a good candidate for this type of surgery since my tumor was only 1.2 cm in size, a small neuroma that fit well within the range of what gamma knife could handle. My neuroma had been discovered when it was small, and I am very thankful for that!!
A month later, I had an appointment with the neurosurgeon who would perform the surgery on me if that was the choice I made. He told me he would love to remove my tumor, but I should check out all alternatives. He mentioned gamma knife. That was my next appointment.
The gamma knife appointment was with a neurologist who checked out my previous MRI. He said my neuroma was small and would be a perfect tumor size for this treatment. After a lengthy discussion, I chose gamma knife to treat my tumor. I had spent at least 3 months studying neuromas since my initial diagnosis, and I was ready to go.
On November 12, 2001, I checked in to St. Anthony's hospital for my gamma knife treatment. I would be treated through the Rocky Mountain Gamma Knife Center at St. Anthony's, the only gamma knife center in Colorado. After treatment, the doctors told me I would require another MRI in 6 months, and then yearly for the first 5 years. The tumor could possibly start swelling at 6 - 9 months causing minimal side effects, but would shrink back to its original size, or better yet, would shrink into something that looked like a raisin. Either way, it would be dead.
Summary:
As I sit here writing this story on November 23, 2001, I have had time to reflect on all that has happened to me. In the 11 days since my gamma knife procedure, things have gone very well. I suffered no nausea and very few headaches the day of the procedure. The sites on my head where the pins were placed have been tender (they're getting better), and I had some swelling around my left eye for a few days after the head frame had been removed. Overall, I have been very pleased. The entire procedure at the gamma knife center had only lasted about 5 hours from insertion of IV to being rolled up to my hospital room. Considering the surgical options, I feel very lucky. My hearing and balance are still the same as before gamma surgery (no further losses), and the mental weight that has been lifted from my shoulders has been substantial. I can say that I feel better now than I have felt in a very long time!
For those who discover they have an acoustic neuroma that is still small, less than 2.5 cm, I think that gamma knife is a sensible alternative to invasive surgery. At the very least, it should be seriously considered before regular surgery is undertaken. Whatever you decide to do, research your options thoroughly, and good luck!!!
My sincere thanks goes to all doctors and nurses associated with the Rocky Mountain Gamma Knife Center, St. Anthony's Hospital, Denver, Colorado. I will never forget their kindness!
If you have any questions or comments about what I experienced, please feel free to E-mail me at: rdoren2@me.com
Thank you for visiting my site!
With Warmest Regards,
Russ Doren