Gamma Knife
Brain surgery without a scalpel. That is one way to think of the gamma knife, an imaging-based radiation treatment system that attacks brain tumors and allows patients to return to work the next day.
In reality, it isn't a knife at all; it's more of a ray gun. It focuses 201 intersecting cobalt gamma rays to destroy tumors or other malformations in the brain. CT or MRI images are used to target the device and to help physicians determine the exact location of the tumor and the precise dosage needed.
- Treatment is painless and bloodless, and it takes less than an hour.
- The patient has to stay in the hospital overnight for observation, but can quickly return to normal activities.
- There are no post-surgical disability and convalescent costs.
- For many patients, gamma knife treatment can replace brain surgery for tumors and vascular malformations.
- More than 150,000 patients have been treated with gamma knife therapy with no mortality, minimal discomfort, and few complications.
- In contrast, neurosurgery – using a real scalpel – requires expensive medicine, lengthy hospital care following surgery, and, in some cases, months of rehabilitation.1
1 See San Diego Gamma Knife Center at http://www.sdgkc.com/about_gn/about_gn.htm#, accessed January 17, 2004; "Cleveland Clinic Gamma Knife Center Treats 1,000th Patient," The Cultural Connection, Cleveland Clinical Foundation, p. 2, Summer 2003.
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