YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Maggie needs radiation and I can't decide which type to choose.

maggiefromnj · 12-23-2020, 08:41 PM

I posted on the sick forums but have more info now and can't decide between 2 different approaches at 2 practices.
Briefly, Maggie is 10 1/2 and has a Meningioma ( tumor in tissue that surrounds the brain). Non- surgical, probably benign but without treatment possibly 2-4 months prognosis.

Both treatment require anasthesia, general but light ( no pain killer required-- only propofol and gas)

Treatment plan 1. SRT (stereotactic) radiation for 5 treatments. Anasthesia would be with IV each day. Is quicker, very targeted, but may not be effective for as long because total amount of radiation to tumor is less. This vet seems very experienced with this type of issue. He said either SRT or conventional is appropriate, but he would rec the conventional because may have longer effects, however due to distance (1.5 hrs) we would choose the University for the full treatment (15-20)

Plan 2 is 15 treatments, maximum effectiveness compared to plan 1, but maybe not quite as targeted, though still should protect normal tissue (brain). Anasthesia is required but would use a "port" rather than a new iv each time. This is a university, but the rad oncologist here does not treat as many of this type. A lot of people choose the SRT which they do not have the machine for. They did more before SRT started being used. Travel here is much shorter.

I can't decide between the 5 or 15.
Anasthesia that many times scares me, yet I know people do it and it was the standard for a long time.

Is it too stressful for Maggie to go 15 times,?
She'll be 11 in April. Should I be trying to squeeze 6 more months out of her by risking the extra anasthesia? They can't even give good time estimates because we can't biopsy ( he said srt could give 12-18. I think the other he said maybe 2 years for the regular- no guarantees- I may have to confirm this).Don't know if it grows fast or slow and they think it's benign... But not positive.

Maggie had a rectal tumor in April. 3 different drs doubt it's related. She has luxating patella and prior back surgery. BUT she is always ready to go for a ride, very alert and overall a really great little girl who prances along and people think she's a puppy.. she was pretty tired and depressed and maybe painful with this but the steroid really brought her back to 90% of herself.

Please share if you have any experiences that will help. I have spent a week not knowing what to do and talking to doctors who don't think there is really enough info to know for sure the best path.. I think it might be the 15, but is it worth the risk?

12-23-2020, 08:41 PM	#1
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	Maggie needs radiation and I can't decide which type to choose. I posted on the sick forums but have more info now and can't decide between 2 different approaches at 2 practices. Briefly, Maggie is 10 1/2 and has a Meningioma ( tumor in tissue that surrounds the brain). Non- surgical, probably benign but without treatment possibly 2-4 months prognosis. Both treatment require anasthesia, general but light ( no pain killer required-- only propofol and gas) Treatment plan 1. SRT (stereotactic) radiation for 5 treatments. Anasthesia would be with IV each day. Is quicker, very targeted, but may not be effective for as long because total amount of radiation to tumor is less. This vet seems very experienced with this type of issue. He said either SRT or conventional is appropriate, but he would rec the conventional because may have longer effects, however due to distance (1.5 hrs) we would choose the University for the full treatment (15-20) Plan 2 is 15 treatments, maximum effectiveness compared to plan 1, but maybe not quite as targeted, though still should protect normal tissue (brain). Anasthesia is required but would use a "port" rather than a new iv each time. This is a university, but the rad oncologist here does not treat as many of this type. A lot of people choose the SRT which they do not have the machine for. They did more before SRT started being used. Travel here is much shorter. I can't decide between the 5 or 15. Anasthesia that many times scares me, yet I know people do it and it was the standard for a long time. Is it too stressful for Maggie to go 15 times,? She'll be 11 in April. Should I be trying to squeeze 6 more months out of her by risking the extra anasthesia? They can't even give good time estimates because we can't biopsy ( he said srt could give 12-18. I think the other he said maybe 2 years for the regular- no guarantees- I may have to confirm this).Don't know if it grows fast or slow and they think it's benign... But not positive. Maggie had a rectal tumor in April. 3 different drs doubt it's related. She has luxating patella and prior back surgery. BUT she is always ready to go for a ride, very alert and overall a really great little girl who prances along and people think she's a puppy.. she was pretty tired and depressed and maybe painful with this but the steroid really brought her back to 90% of herself. Please share if you have any experiences that will help. I have spent a week not knowing what to do and talking to doctors who don't think there is really enough info to know for sure the best path.. I think it might be the 15, but is it worth the risk?