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Questions to Ask the Physician Specializing in Radiosurgery

It is important that you feel comfortable with the specialist and information he or her shares with you. When making a decision about having radiation treatment for your acoustic neuroma, you may want to ask some of the following questions:

  1. What type of radiation treatment (e.g., Gamma Knife, LINAC, CyberKnife, Novalis FSR, proton beam, etc.) do you most commonly perform? What are the advantages of this type of radiation over the others that are available?

  2. Will this be a one-dose procedure - radiosurgery, or will it consist of several smaller doses - radiotherapy?

  3. Why do you recommend this form of radiation treatment for me over others?

  4. How long have you been performing radiation treatment of acoustic neuromas? Have any problems emerged with this method?

  5. How will my hearing, balance or tinnitus be affected by radiation?

  6. What symptoms are commonly experienced by your patients after treatment? How do you define “side effects” and what is the treatment?

  7. What are the possible long-term side effects of this type of treatment? What might I observe or feel?

  8. Who is involved in my radiation treatment?

  9. What possible complications following radiation short-term and long-term? How often do these occur?

  10. What research has been done on the impact of radiation on acoustic neuromas?

  11. What if my acoustic neuroma grows and increases in size later after radiation, how best can my acoustic neuroma be treated? Can have microsurgery or is radiation treatment repeated?

  12. Following radiation may I carry on my usual routine? Are there any special precautions I should take?

  13. How often will I require follow-up MRIs after treatment?