The Brain Centre

Lee Chuen Ming

I suffered from Lung Cancer which had spread to the brain June 2010. Before the treatment, I knew nothing about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and it was my neurosurgeon, Dr. Chris Poon at Kwong Wah Hospital, who suggested it to me. Since I could not afford the treatment, the Brain Centre Foundation made it possible through the Brain Met Fund.

Because of the size of my brain tumor, it was treated with the Gamma Knife in three sessions within a 2 week interval. The 2nd and 3rd session were done using the pin-less Extend System. Comparing the two frame fixation systems, I found the Extend system more comfortable.

Shortly after the treatment, I returned to my everyday life. Dr. Poon told me that the tumor had shrunk to about one quarter of its original size. In addition, my speech has improved and I am able to use chopsticks again, which was impossible before the Gamma Knife treatment.

Thanks to the Gamma Knife team and the Brain Centre Foundation, I have been given a chance to fight the cancer. I am feeling well and very optimistic about the future.

Sin Fook Sang

When I was diagnosed with a large meningioma in April 2006 I was shocked. I was also confused by the different advice given to me by different neurosurgeons. I finally decided to go with Dr. CP Yu’s advice, to have a combined treatment with open surgery followed by Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for the residual tumor. I had open surgery in July 2006 followed by the Gamma Knife treatment in October 2006 and was grateful that everything went smoothly.

After the procedure, I quickly went back to my normal life. I did not experience any significant negative effects apart from some numbness over the scalp for a few weeks which was due to the local anesthetic at the pin sites when they attached the frame. Since I had both open surgery and the Gamma Knife I could really appreciate the non-invasiveness and simplicity of the Gamma Knife when I only spent 2 days in hospital compared to the 2 weeks in hospital after open surgery.

It has now been four years since the treatment and I undergo yearly MRI follow up. I have remained well and the most recent MRI showed that the tumor has continued to shrink. Looking back, I am very happy with the results and appreciate the treatment offered to me at the Brain Centre.

Tony Pifer

When I first learned that I had a Pituitary Tumour in December 2002, naturally I was alarmed; however, my fright was changed to hope when my research found that Gamma Knife treatment had a track record of effectively treating my condition.

I checked out many options, including centres in the U.S. and finally decided on The Brain Centre because of their history of successfully using the Gamma Knife and the caring team that helped me thoroughly understand how it worked.

The treatment went well. It was non-invasive, and the only discomfort I felt was during the frame fixation to my head. The Brain Centre team is well experienced and skillful. They were kind and informative throughout every step of the treatment, relieving my anxiety.

After treatment, I resumed my teaching position in China. I have been able to enjoy my life as much as I did before. I am still under follow-up and have confidence in the team at The Brain Centre.

Ruth Pifer

When I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma in January 2010, like my husband, I also did a lot of searching on the internet regarding different treatment methods. The Gamma Knife came up as one of the best treatment for my condition, the main reason being that it has the best accuracy in targeting lesions and there was a lot of clinical data to support its effectiveness for Acoustic Neuroma. Since my husband was treated at the Brain Centre, I felt very confident in going there for my treatment.

Unfortunately, when I consulted Dr. Yu, at the Brain Centre, I was told that the tumor was too big for Gamma Knife alone and he recommended a combined treatment of open surgery followed by the Gamma Knife for the residual tumor. He stressed that this was the best way to avoid complications such as facial nerve paralysis. I took his advice and had open surgery done in January 2010 followed by the Gamma Knife in April 2010.

I am truly grateful to the staff at The Brain Centre who put in extra effort to make me feel at ease during the Gamma Knife treatment. They were very understanding and caring, and answered all my questions I had before and after the treatment. The only discomfort I experienced was a slight pressure in the head for a couple of weeks after the treatment.

Having had both open surgery and the Gamma Knife, I can definitely say that the latter is much less invasive and more comfortable. After open surgery I spent 13 days in hospital in quite a bit of discomfort and was off work for nearly 2 months. With the Gamma Knife I spent only 2 days in hospital and after leaving hospital I spent the next 4 days showing my parents ( who were visiting at the time) around Hong Kong.

I would highly recommend the Gamma Knife to other patients who are suitable for it!

Candy Wong Yuk Fong

When my doctors discovered that my lung cancer had spread to the brain, I had both open surgery and whole brain radiation done. In spite of that, more brain tumors appeared and I was recommended Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. During my first treatment in November 2008, I was treated for 12 tumors.

I spent only 2 days in hospital before returning to my normal life. I was well for 2 years until the recent follow up MRI in June 2010 which showed 2 new tumors and these were also treated with the Gamma Knife. I am still waiting to see if the results are as good as the first treatment, but I feel very optimistic.

I found the treatment process quite comfortable and I only experienced transient pain during the frame fixation. I have not experienced any side effects at all from the treatment. I am also very grateful to the Brain Centre Foundation Brain Met Fund who sponsored both of my treatments.