1. Gamma Knife
Kelly & Tarah

2. What Is Gamma Knife? Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Non-invasive procedure that gives a high dose of radiation to the tumor or target while sparing normal tissue.
Less chance of harming the function of structures.
I.e. brain stem, optic nerve.
beams of gamma rays.

3. What and Who Is It Used For?
Small to medium size intracranial tumors and other abnormal conditions.
Brain tumors, brain metastases, pituitary tumors, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma.
Adults and Pediatrics.
For individuals who have a condition that cannot be reached through surgery, those who cannot go under surgery, or those who want a non-invasive procedure.

4. How Does It Work? Four step process: Head frame fitted for patient
Keeps head in rigid position for treatment
Imaging for localization of lesion
CT and/or MRI
Treatment Planning
Done by the treatment team with the help of specialized computer software
Delivery of Radiation
One to four hours

5. How Does It Work?
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6. Disadvantages Side effects are possible.
Acute: redness, irritation, nausea/vomiting, headaches, and soreness/swelling, and hair loss in treatment area
Chronic: brain changes, spinal cord changes, secondary malignancy
Pediatric patients may require systemic anesthesia.
Gamma Knife machines are not as readily available as other treatment methods.

7. Advantages
Heavy dose of radiation to shrink tumor while sparing structure and function of normal tissues.
Can be done in one or few treatments.
Accurate within 1-2 mm.
Quality of Life.
No knife, no blood loss, and little or no recovery time.
Around half the cost of traditional surgery.

8. Where Is It Located?
Approximately 125 places in the U.S. have Gamma Knife.
In Minnesota:
Mayo Clinic
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview

9. Take Home Points
Gamma Knife can be a great alternative to traditional surgery.

10. References
Gamma-knife radiosurgery - MayoClinic.com. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 1, , from radiosurgery/MY00206
Hoffelt, C. (2006). Gamma Knife vs. Cyberknife. Oncology Issues. Retrieved February 20, 2013, from df
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). (n.d.). Mobile RadiologyInfo.org. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from
Why Gamma Knife® surgery? | Elekta. (n.d.). Gamma Knife, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Oncology, Brachytherapy, TPS & OIS Software | Elekta. Retrieved April 1, 2013, from professionals/products/elekta-neuroscience/gamma-knife-surgery/why-gamma- knife-surgery.html