Tag: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-surgical radiation therapy used to treat functional abnormalities and small tumors of the brain. It can deliver precisely-targeted radiation in fewer high-dose treatments than traditional therapy, which can help preserve healthy tissue. When SRS is used to treat body tumors, it’s called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

14Jan 2023 by Ronny Allan No Comments

Cancer Ablation

Clinical Trials and Research, Patient Advocacy, Treatment

What is Cancer Ablation? This is a minimally invasive surgical method to treat solid cancers. Special probes are used to “burn” or “freeze” cancers. Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used to guide and position the needle probe into the tumour. This requires only a tiny hole, usually less than 3 mm via which the probe is introduced. When the probe is within the cancer it is attached to a generator which “burns” or “freezes” the cancer. “Burning” refers to increasing the temperature of the tumour to such a level that cancer cells die. This is usually achieved by radio frequency probes, referring to the type of energy used to increase the temperature. “Freezing” refers to cryoablation which decreases the temperature to -40 C (-40…

07Mar 2021 by Ronny Allan No Comments

Treatment for Neuroendocrine Cancer – a summary for patients

Treatment

ScopeThis summary provides an overview of the types of therapy known for treating Neuroendocrine Cancer. They will have been approved at least by one national or regional approval agency, may not be available or approved in your own country; and may appear in clinical guidelines for the treatment of Neuroendocrine Cancer.Clinical trials will not be covered, although it's noted that some of the approved treatments listed may be in follow on trials either to prove new coverage or used in combination with another drug. For a list of clinical trials covered by the author, click here. This summary will not include complementary or alternative treatment but may cover or overlap with experimental treatment. Who recommends the best treatment for my condition? Different types of doctors often work together to create a…

Graphic courtesy of SoBadAss.me (Sam Cleasby) In 2014, Chris and I walked 84 miles along Hadrian’s Wall on the English/Scottish border. It was a fantastic experience, and we met some really interesting people on our 6-day journey. On the 4th night, I encountered a lady who was pretty rude. I wanted to say something, but I […]

Neuroendocrine Cancer Online Forums: frighteningly good or good at frightening?

OPINION When I was diagnosed, I was happy with my own research and kept away from forums on the advice of a fellow patient who said they can be overly negative. Just before my second major operation in 2011, I decided to take the plunge and registered with an online web forum (not a Facebook […]

Colonoscopy Comedy

Last year I wrote a series of articles on the ‘coping’ side of cancer, one of which was about still being able to have a laugh. This was my way of saying no matter how tough life is, you need to stay positive and maintain your sense of humour. When I think back to some […]

Surgery – the gift that keeps on giving

I first wrote this article in December 2014. My thoughts went back to my first surgery in 2010 when I was discharged 4 weeks before Christmas. I had been diagnosed with metastatic Neuroendocrine Cancer in July 2010 having been told it was incurable. However, with ‘debulking’ surgery, my Oncologist said my prognosis could be significantly […]

Piss off cancer, it’s 13 years since my liver surgery!

I’m still here I was 54 years and 9 months old at diagnosis on 26th July 2010. For the first few months, I had no idea what the outcome would be. What I did know at the time, given the final staging, grading, and other damage that was accumulated via various tests, checks, and scans; […]