Gamma Knife Advantages

Gamma Knife surgery has many advantages compared with traditional surgery and some other types of radiation treatment.

For example:

• Other methods of radiation delivery, such as whole-brain radiation, can affect healthy cells surrounding the treatment area. But the Gamma Knife focuses energy on the target cells with extreme precision, largely sparing surrounding tissue. This means that it is the preferred treatment around cranial nerves and areas of the brain that are most sensitive to radiation, such as the brain stem. In whole-brain radiation, a person receives a small amount of radiation every day over several weeks, but it can be given only once in a person's lifetime. Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be repeated. And it can be given in addition to whole-brain radiation.
• Because there is no incision, the risk for bleeding and infection is eliminated. People unable to tolerate standard surgical procedures because of illness or advanced age may be candidates for radiosurgery. Gamma Knife is especially effective for patients whose tumors are deeply embedded in the brain.
• Some types of open-skull surgery require cutting nerves that affect facial movements and hearing. Gamma Knife radiosurgery can spare those nerves. There is generally little or no discomfort associated with the procedure. Recovery time is brief. Patients can be treated in one surgical session and go home either the same day or the next and quickly resume their normal activities.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call our call center toll-free at 877-888-5746.