Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients

8/9/2019 Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients

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Gamma Knife SurgeryInformation 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


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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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Gamma Knife Surgery Information for Patients