Lucia reclaimed her independence and peace of mind after Leksell Gamma Knife treatment halted her meningioma’s growth without the need for invasive surgery

Life in Perugia, Italy, sounds charming for 78-year-old Lucia Bianco. She’s surrounded by her loving family – a husband, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a little dog who brings her joy – and her days are filled with painting, writing children’s fairy tales, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. But just a few years ago, Lucia’s world was turned upside down by a diagnosis she never expected.

It began with a moment of confusion, words slipping away, sentences left unfinished. It was her cousin who first noticed something was wrong and took her to Santa Lucia, a hospital in Rome. There, an MRI revealed the presence of a meningioma (a tumor in her brain). “From there, visits to various neurologists began... all very well-known... and all agreed on open-brain surgery,” Lucia recalls. “I was in a state of panic.”

The prospect of brain surgery was overwhelming. Lucia and her family were left with many questions and few answers. Desperate for alternatives, she reached out to the doctor at Santa Lucia, who mentioned new treatments for meningiomas in Milan. That’s when Lucia’s brother discovered Leksell Gamma Knife and Professor Pietro Mortini, the Head of the Neurosurgery and Stereotactic Radiosurgery Unit at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan.

“(Professor Mortini) explained how this application would stop the growth of the meningioma…over time, it would shrink.”

Meeting Professor Mortini was a turning point. “He looked at the MRI and, calmly, told me there was no need for surgery... it could easily be treated with Gamma Knife,” Lucia says. “He explained what it was, and how this application would stop the growth of the meningioma…over time, it would shrink. And he gave me an appointment.” The reassurance and clarity from Professor Mortini brought Lucia and her family a sense of relief they hadn’t felt in months.

Reflecting on his approach, Professor Mortini says: “Our goal is always to offer the least invasive, most effective treatment possible while maintaining quality of life. For Lucia, Gamma Knife radiosurgery was the right choice – allowing her to avoid open surgery and return quickly to her life.”

In 2015, Lucia traveled to San Raffaele Hospital in Milan for her treatment. She remembers the process vividly: “Upon arrival, I spoke with a doctor who described how the treatment would proceed and that, first, they would do another MRI. After that, I received local anesthesia at the points where the frame would be fixed to my head to keep it still on the Gamma Knife couch. The treatment was very similar to an MRI, all with little pain or discomfort.” Lucia was able to fly home the very next day.

“It is surely a miracle of science. I felt absolutely safe.”

The experience exceeded her expectations. “It is surely a miracle of science,” she says. “I felt absolutely safe. The only discomfort was from the cortisone I had to take after the treatment.” Today, Lucia is well. “Words sometimes disappear, but it’s not the same as in the beginning, so I don’t worry anymore. Gamma Knife gave me my life back.”

Lucia’s story is one of resilience and hope. She is passionate about sharing her experience so that others know there are alternatives to surgery. “Get informed, get informed, get informed,” she urges. Her message to anyone facing a similar diagnosis is simple: “Never give up.”

For Lucia and her family, the relief and happiness after treatment are immeasurable. “I have tried to share my experience in every possible way, and I still talk about it today,” she says. Thanks to the care she received and the innovation of Leksell Gamma Knife radiosurgery, Lucia is again healthy and happy, living life to the fullest – painting, writing, and cherishing every moment with her loved ones.

Learn more about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, how the treatment process works and other frequently asked questions about the system.