This video will describe Gamma Knife Surgery - and what you as a patient will
experience before, during and after treatment.
Gamma Knife Surgery is a well-established treatment method used to treat selected targets in the brain. Leksell Gamma Knife is not a knife in the normal sense of the word. The doctor makes no incisions in your head and the treatment is painless. This treatment also allows you to quickly return to your normal routines.
More than 30,000 patients will undergo Gamma Knife surgery every year. The method has been in clinical use since 1968 and there are about 200 Leksell Gamma Knife systems in operation around the world.
Gamma Knife Surgery is a unique method. 201 extremely precise gamma beams are focused on the treatment area in the brain. The patient’s head is placed in a collimator, which is a helmet-like device with 201 small openings for the beams. During treatment all the radiation beams meet in a focal point, with sub-millimeter precision.
The individual beams are too weak to damage healthy tissue on their way to the target area, but very powerful when they simultaneously merge at a single focal point. This can be compared with the principle of a magnifying glass in the sun. By placing the head in one or several positions, the shape and dose of radiation is optimized to affect only the target - without damaging surrounding healthy tissue.
In most cases you will be given a single treatment.
This involves four main steps:
A specialized team will take care of you throughout the entire procedure and usually you are awake at all times.
The following describes the procedure for treatment of a benign brain tumor, however the treatment is similar for all indications.
Before treatment your doctor will inform you about the entire procedure.
To begin with, the lightweight
frame will be placed on your head. Your hair doesn’t need to be cut or
shaved. Local anesthetic is applied where the frame is to be attached. Once
the anesthetic has taken effect, the frame will be fixed to your head with four
screws. The frame remains on your head throughout the entire procedure, in order
to keep your head in a stable position during imaging and treatment. Attaching
the frame takes about 15 minutes. A special device is used to define the position
of your head in relation to the frame. After your head frame is in place, it’s
time for imaging -- for example MRI, CT or angiography.
A coordinate box is used during imaging – to provide reference points
on the images for the treatment plan. Although you may have done these imaging
studies before, they need to be done again with the frame on – to precisely
define the location, size and shape of the treatment area. The images are now
transferred to the sophisticated treatment planning computer. After imaging,
the coordinate box is removed.
Once your images have been recorded, your doctor will develop a treatment plan. Meanwhile you can rest and do what you want – eat, drink, read or even watch TV.
While you are resting; your doctor, often together with other specialists in the team, will produce a 3-dimensional treatment plan, tailor-made for you and your medical condition. The specially designed treatment planning software assists the doctor to prepare your specific treatment. As an added security the final plan is re-checked and approved.
Once the treatment plan is complete, the actual treatment can begin. Before starting, your doctor will tell you how long the treatment will take. The treatment is silent and totally painless. When you lay down on the treatment table, your head frame will be attached to the collimator in the Gamma Knife system. Sometimes it’s desirable to change collimators. The collimators used and the number of movements in and out, depend on the shape of the treatment area.
During the treatment you
will be fully awake and able to communicate with your doctor and nurse through
an audio/video connection. The team is there at all times, to assist you.
Once treatment is complete, the frame will be removed. Some patients may experience
a mild headache or minor swelling where the frame was attached, but most report
no problems. Within a day or so after treatment you will be able to return to
your normal routines.
Your doctor will stay in contact with you for periodic follow-ups and consultations. The effects of the treatment will occur over time. Radiation treatment is designed to stop the growth of tumors or lesions, which means that the result will be seen after a period of weeks or even months.
Remember: Always consult
your doctor if you have any questions at all.