Gamma Knife Centre

What is Gamma Knife surgery?

Gamma Knife surgery is a form of radiation therapy that precisely converges hundreds of individual laser beams at a tumour. It uses computerised treatment planning software to help physicians locate and irradiate small targets within the head and brain with high precision. Gamma knife treatment delivers intense radiation doses to the target area while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It is often used as a complementary or alternative treatment to chemotherapy, surgery, and other forms of radiation oncology.

Conditions that can be treated with Gamma Knife surgery

Benign Tumour
Metastatic Tumour
Vascular Disorder
Functional Disorder

Benefits of Gamma Knife surgery

High accuracy and precision: Allows a powerful dose of radiation with lower toxicity to healthy surrounding tissues.
Non invasive: As there is no incision done, there is less risk of complications due to bleeding, infection, or cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
Painless and fast recovery: No rehabilitation is necessary and patients can resume activities in a short amount of time.
Zero or minimal hospital stay: Treatment is often done on an outpatient basis and occasionally requiring an overnight stay.

FAQs on Gamma Knife Surgery

Q1: Will the procedure hurt?

A: When the head frame is being fitted, you will have injections of local anaesthetic and may feel some pain (from the injections). The actual gamma knife treatment is totally painless.

Q2: How long does the treatment last?

A: Scanning and gamma knife treatment will take up most of the day. The time you actually spend in the gamma knife machine will depend on the size of the target area and how many ‘shots’ are needed. Time can range from 30 minutes to several hours.

Q3: Will I be radioactive? treatment last?

A: No.

Q4: Will I see or feel anything?

A: The only sensation you will feel is pressure from the head frame pressing on your scalp. You may also be aware of a flashing red light in the room which indicates treatment is taking place.

Q5: Will I lose my hair?

A: This is unlikely to happen. However, if the area being treated is close to the skin surface, then hair loss may occur in that place.

Q6: When will I know if my treatment has worked?

A: Generally, changes in the targeted cells take place over many months. You will need regular follow-ups and MRI scans to monitor any change. You will be seen by your consultant four weeks after treatment and have an MRI scan six weeks after treatment if you are being treated for cancer.
Those with benign tumours will be seen six months after treatment and an MRI scan will be booked accordingly.

Q7: After the treatment is there anything I should or shouldn’t do?

DOs

Do take mild painkillers if your head is still sore after leaving hospital
Do visit your doctor if you notice pain, swelling or an increase in redness at the pin sites.

DON’Ts

Don’t scratch the scabs over the pin sites as they act as a barrier to infection and should fall off on their own after a few days. You shouldn’t wash your hair for the same reason.
Don’t use creams or lotions on the pin sites.

Q8: When can I get back to my normal routine?

A: As soon as you feel fit enough to do so. This may be the day after treatment, or it may take a few days.

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