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8/9/2019 Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients
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Gamma Knife SurgeryInformation for patients
8/9/2019 Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients
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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 normalsense of the word. The doctor
makes no incisions in your head.
Instead, very precisely focused
beams of radiation are directed to
the treatment area in the brain.
Gamma Knife® Surgery offers
a safe and effective treatment for
more than 30,000 patients everyyear. The treatment procedure is
simple, painless and straightfor-
ward.
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The treatment consists of four steps:
1. attaching the frame
2. imaging: CT, MRI or Angiography
3. treatment planning
4. treatment
8/9/2019 Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients
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Treatment method
Gamma Knife Surgery is a bloodless
surgery for neurological diseases.
The surgery does not require the skull
to be opened for performance of the
operation. The patient is treated in
one session and can normally return
home shortly after treatment.
Cobalt sources
Metal helmet
201 radioactive beams are
focused on the target in the
brain to be treated through
a metal helmet, in which the
patient's head is placed by using
fixation of the head frame.
The method facilitates
treatment of very small
targets deep within the brain.
Protective
Housing
Gamma Knife Surgery
Gamma Knife Surgery is a unique
method that delivers extremely
focused radiation beams to targets
in the brain. 201 individual beams
converge to one focal point. The
radiation source used is called
cobalt. These sources are posi-
tioned in a hemisphere so that all
the beams can converge on a single
point. The shape and dose of the
radiation is optimized to hit only
the target, without damaging sur-
rounding healthy tissue.
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What is Gamma Knife Surgery?
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The head frame
A key component in Gamma Knife
Surgery is the stereotactic head
frame.
The frame allows the doctor to
accurately pinpoint the target to
the be treated in your brain. This
lightweight frame, which is attachedto your head with four screws,
ensures that the radiation beams
can be directed with precision to
the target. The frame also prevents
your head from moving during
imaging and treatment procedures.
Local anaesthetic is applied wherethe screws are to be attached.
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Before the treatment
Before treatment your doctor will
inform you about the entire proce-
dure. Gamma Knife Surgery does
not require cutting or shaving of
your hair. The next step is the
application of the head frame.
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Imaging
After the head frame is in place, it
is time for imaging to be done; such
as magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), computed tomography (CT)
or angiography. Imaging is required
to determine the exact size, shape
and position of the target in the
brain.
During imaging, a coordinate
box is placed on the head frame to
provide reference points on the
images for the treatment plan. After
imaging, the coordinate box is
removed.
Treatment planning
Once your images have been taken,
you can rest while your physician
develops a very precise and accurate
treatment plan. No two treatment
plans are alike; every patient’s plan
is individually designed to addressthe specific medical condition. The
doctor, very often together with
another specialist in the team, makes
the plan in a specially designed
computer and calculates how the
treatment should be performed. This
usually takes a couple of hours.
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The treatment
Once your treatment plan is com-
pleted, the actual treatment canstart. You will lay down on the
treatment couch and the head
frame will be attached to the helmet.
You are awake during the procedure
and will be able to communicate
with your doctor or nurse through
an audio and video connection.When the treatment begins, the
couch will move into the dome
section of the unit. The treatment issilent and totally painless. Often
you will be able to listen to music
during the treatment.
The team will be monitoring
the procedure at all times. The
treatment will last a few minutes to
more than an hour, depending onthe size and shape of the target.
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Follow-up
The effects of your treatment will
occur over time. Radiation treat-
ments are designed to stop the
growth of tumors or lesions, which
means that the effect will be seen
over a period of weeks or months.
Your doctor will stay in contact with
you to assess your progress, which
may include follow-up MRI, CT or
angiography images.
After the treatment
When your treatment is complete,
the head frame will be removed. If
you had an angiogram, you might
have to lay quietly for several more
hours.
Some patients experience a
mild headache or minor swelling
where the head frame was attached,
but most report no problems. Your
doctor will tell you whether or not
he wants you to stay overnight for
observation or if you can go home
immediately. Either way, you should
be able to return to your normal
routines in another day or so.
Ask your doctor for patient organi-zations and web sites relevant to
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Where can I find more information?
your diagnosis. Always consult yourdoctor if you have any questions at all.
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