Gamma Knife is a neurosurgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders

Gamma knife is now the most accepted and widely used radio surgery treatment in the world for brain tumours. About half a million people have been treated with Gamma knife surgery, and it's the only Radiation Therapy System cleared by the FDA for irradiating brain metastases. Gamma knife surgery, despite the name, there is no blade or knife - it's called Gamma knife because radio surgery (one-session treatment) has such a dramatic and precise effect in the target zone that the changes are considered 'surgical.'

So there's no incision or blood, and minimal risk of complications. The device aims gamma radiation through a target point in the patient's brain. The patient wears a specialized helmet that is surgically fixed to the skull, so that the brain tumor remains stationary at the target point of the gamma rays. An ablative dose of radiation is thereby sent through the tumor in one treatment session, while surrounding brain tissues are relatively spared.

Radiosurgery uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, delivered precisely to avoid damaging healthy brain tissue. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is able to accurately focus many beams of high-intensity gamma radiation to converge on one or more tumors. Each individual beam is of relatively low intensity, so the radiation has little effect on intervening brain tissue and is concentrated only at the tumor itself.

 GammaKnife radiosurgery has proven effective for patients with benign or malignant brain tumors up to 4 centimeters in size, vascular malformations such as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), pain or other functional problems.

The risks of gamma knife radiosurgery treatment are very low, and complications are related to the condition being treated. Gamma-Ray Stereotactic Treatment System. The Gamma Knife instrument put many gamma-ray beams from different angles and directions irradiate to body, making them all together to form the focus point. Since each dose of radiation beam is very small, it basically does not cause damage to human tissues which it through. As long as the ray focuses on the lesion, it can be as precise as a scalpel to destroy the lesion, with no trauma, no hemorrhage, no infection, no pain, and also reach rapid, safe, reliable magical effect.

Why is gamma knife surgery performed? 

Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat some diseases and conditions of the brain. Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat:

• Acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the nerve between the brain and the ear

• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and other blood vessel disorders in the brain

• Brain tumors including some types of malignant and benign tumors

• Some types of cancer of the eye

• Epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. A brain tumor that causes epilepsy may be treated with gamma knife surgery if medications do not control seizures.

• Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that leads to uncontrollable shaking, muscle stiffness, and severe problems with coordination and balance

• Trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder causing debilitating face pain

• Gamma Knife is a neurosurgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders.

• No incisions, No general anesthesia.

• The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures..

• The absence of an incision eliminates the risk of haemorrhage and infection.

• A secure head frame ensures safety and accuracy within half a millimeter

• Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay or an outpatient surgical procedure. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities.

• Patients go home usually on the same day (time lost from employment is minimal)