Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Gamma Knife® radiosurgery allows your physician to target small areas within the brain without the need for traditional surgery. This non-invasive treatment uses highly focused gamma irradiation beams to precisely treat tumors or lesions from outside the skull, eliminating the need for an incision.
Despite its name, Gamma Knife isn’t a knife at all—it’s named for its extreme precision. Using 192 tiny beams of gamma irradiation, it targets the exact area of a tumor or lesion with sub-millimeter accuracy—less than one-tenth of a millimeter, about the thickness of a sheet of paper (like a knife!). These beams converge at a single point to deliver a precise dose of radiation while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Because this treatment is non-invasive, recovery time may be shorter compared to traditional brain surgery.
This exceptional accuracy allows Gamma Knife radiosurgery to treat even the smallest and most complex brain tumors or lesions with unmatched precision while protecting healthy tissue and critical structures. Also known as stereotactic radiosurgery, Gamma Knife can serve as an alternative to whole-brain radiation therapy for patients with multiple brain metastases.
Where can Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Be Used?
Gamma Knife is a clinically proven treatment for a wide range of brain conditions, from tiny lesions just a few millimeters in size to tumors several centimeters across—all without the need for open brain surgery. It is effective for both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, as well as various neurological disorders.
These include:
- Tumors
- Brain Metastases
- Acoustic Neuroma/Vestibular Schwannoma
- Meningioma
- Glioblastoma
- Pituitary Adenoma
- Vascular Conditions
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
- Certain Disorders
- Essential Tremor
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
The Benefits of Using Gamma Knife
- Non-Invasive: No surgical incisions, reducing risks and eliminating the need for a lengthy recovery.
- Precision: Targeted radiation minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Convenient: Typically completed in one session, allowing patients to resume normal activities quickly.
- Effective: Proven to treat a variety of neurological and spinal conditions successfully.
Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery may be an option when a tumor or lesion is near a critical brain area responsible for essential functions like speech or movement.
For deep-seated tumors, it can be a safer alternative to open brain surgery, especially when accessing the area poses significant risks due to nearby blood vessels or critical structures. It is also a viable option for patients who are too unwell for surgery or have conditions that make traditional surgery unsuitable.
Additionally, Gamma Knife is an effective treatment for multiple brain metastases. Because it delivers a low dose to healthy tissue, treatment can be repeated as needed, helping many patients avoid whole-brain radiation therapy.
Evaluation and Procedure for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery:
Initial Discussion
Before your radiosurgery begins, your doctor will review your radiation treatment options, discuss potential side effects, and answer any questions you may have. To make the most of your visit, consider writing down your questions in advance and taking notes during the discussion. You may also choose to record the conversation on your phone for reference later.
Ensuring Your Head Remains Still
To ensure pinpoint accuracy during Gamma Knife treatment, your head must remain completely still. This is achieved using either a custom-fitted mask or a specialized head frame.
- Mask Option: A lightweight, perforated mask is molded to your face when heated, then hardens to securely hold your head in position. It is custom-made at the clinic before your treatment.
- Head Frame Option: If a head frame is used, local anesthesia is applied before fitting it to your head. Medication can also be provided to help you stay relaxed. The frame remains in place throughout the procedure for maximum precision.
Imaging and Treatment Planning
Before your procedure, you’ll undergo imaging—CT, MRI, or angiography—to create detailed scans of your brain. These images help us precisely locate and map the treatment area. You will lie in a supported position using specialized cushions for your comfort during the scan.
After capturing your images, your physician collaborates with a specialized medical physicist to design your Gamma Knife treatment. They determine the precise number and convergence points of the beams to maximize effectiveness while safeguarding surrounding tissue and structures.
Administering Treatment
When it’s time for your procedure, the care team will help you onto the treatment couch and secure your custom-made mask or head frame. A small marker may be placed on your nose for a camera to track any movement. An image may also be taken to verify your position and adjust the treatment plan if needed.
Treatment duration varies from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the tumor’s size, shape, and complexity. The procedure is painless—some patients even fall asleep. You can communicate with your team anytime via intercom or hand signals and listen to music or podcasts through the built-in sound system.
After Treatment
Pin site care: You can take Tylenol or ibuprofen for any pain related to the pin sites. You may wash your face and hair as normal the following day. Scabbing and some scant drainage are normal. If there is any redness, swelling, warmth to touch, fevers, or drainage from the sites please contact the office.
Most patients can resume normal activities within a day or two. Gamma Knife treatment works by stopping tumor growth or targeting dysfunctional tissue, with effects developing over weeks or months. Your physician will monitor your progress through follow-up visits and imaging as needed.
