TrueBeam radiation machine vs Cyberknife machine
Hi, this is the first time I am actually starting a discussion. I hope I have posted this under the correct category.
The decision was made yesterday for my husband to have radiation to treat his non-small-cell lung cancer instead of having a lung resection. His radiation oncologist said the machine they will use (at the VA) is called TrueBeam.
It's going to be 5 treatments that will last between 25 - 30 minutes each.
I went to a website to read about the difference between TrueBeam and the Cyberknife machine and it appears TrueBeam is a very good machine that does more than Cyberknife because it uses the latest technology, although Cyberknife is still very good.
I was wondering if anyone else has heard of it or tried TrueBeam?
https://www.princetonneurologicalsurgery.com/radiosurgery-institute/treatment-tools/varian-truebeam/
I'm happy the decision was made to do radiation instead of surgery especially since my husband's pulmo and the thoracic surgeon never showed up for the consult.
Thank you.
Andrea
Hi @Andrea, I'm so glad to hear your doctors have a plan in place, what a relief to know the next steps, I'm sure! I've heard of TrueBeam, and precision radiation and can be very successful! When does your husband start, do you have a date for his first treatment? Thinking of you both! Alisa
Hi
, yes we are very happy about this! He's starting his first of possibly 5 treatments next Tuesday 9/28.
One day last week before these radiation treatments were scheduled, they called to schedule a BRAIN MRI to make sure the cancer has not spread to his brain. He's going to have that test but not until Wednesday, 11/03/21.
Do you think it's wrong of me to be bothered his pulmo didn't show up for that consult?
Thanks, Alicia.Hi @Andrea, I'm so glad to hear your husband will be starting his treatments soon. Action helps! I would be very bothered if my pulmonologist did not show up. Personally, I would find another one or at least get answers as to why this one did not show up. Was the doctor a pulmonologist or an Intervention Pulmonologist or a Pulmonary Oncologist that was supposed to be at the meeting? ~ Alisa
Hi
, thanks so much for your reply. I often worry that I'm being too picky or unreasonable when I ask pointed questions of healthcare professionals that pertain to their expertise or knowledge and believe sometimes they feel intimidated and answer me in ways the ordinary layperson wouldn't understand.
I never realized until now that I don't know exactly what "type" of pulmonary doctor he is even though I did look him up on the Internet after meeting him a year ago.
I've heard the word "interventional" before (such as interventional radiology) but until you mentioned it, I never gave it a 2nd thought.
I looked up pulmonologist and an interventional pulmonologist and read this:
Difference between a pulmonologist and an Interventional pulmonologist:
Interventional pulmonology is a relatively new field in pulmonary medicine. Interventional pulmonology uses endoscopy and other tools to diagnose and treat conditions in the lungs and chest. These procedures may be offered by pulmonologists (lung specialists) who have undergone extra training.
So, I believe he might be an Interventional pulmonologist but I'm not positive. He often tells me he does research.
I saw somewhere in the forum there is a way to send a private message but I don't see it now.
Can I send you one?
Thank you!Hi @Andrea, we changed this platform not too long ago, I'm not sure how to direct you to private messages from your end, I am in the "back office" and it looks different. I just sent you a private message to start us off, but there were quite a few named Andrea on our member list, can you confirm whether you received a private message from me or not? Thanks, Alisa
