Giant cell tumor on C2

My husband has had pain for over a month in his neck.  A few weeks ago his MRI showed a golf ball size lesion on his C2 vertebrae.  They immediately had us meet with a number of surgeons and did a biopsy two days later.  The neuro surgeon and several pathologists agreed that it was a Giant cell tumor.  The official results came back from Mayo and confirmed it was a giant cell tumor.  They did say it was very rare for this to occur in this area of the spine.  Has anyone had any personal experience with this type of diagnosis?  We met with the neuro surgeon on Thursday to discuss our options.  Just trying to be as informed as possible.  They will be removing as much as they can of the tumor and and bone that was destroyed.  They are planning to leave some of the tumor that is surrounding the vital nerves etc. and treating them with radiation at the Cyberknife clinic.  They will remove bone from the hip and fuse the c1 and c4 vertebrae.  The nuerosurgeon said the procedure is risky but he did not provide any specifics. Do we need a second opinion?  They need to move on this quickly and we really feel like the two surgeons performing the procedure are great.  They have very good backgrounds and everyone tells me they are the best.  Just nervous I guess. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Nassim Abi Chahine, MD]

i had 3 cases done during the last 8 years. Best results are seen with radiotherapy without surgery. Surgical removal MAY BE discussed 6 months after the radiotherapy. The surgery will cause a local weakness and plate with screws are needed at that time. If you do the surgery first (1)you may disseminate this type of lymphoma B, (2) the iliac bone graft can never fuse because of the radiation unless you wait some months and that could be too much risky.
Dr Nassim Abi Chahine
medhelp medical expert in neurosurgery