Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a form of stereotactic radiosurgery, an advanced form of radiation therapy. Although it sounds like surgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is minimally invasive, does not involve any incisions and does not require a hospital stay. It’s preferred by healthcare professionals for extreme accuracy, efficiency and outstanding therapeutic response.
Using advanced diagnostic imaging and three-dimensional planning software, the Gamma Knife Elekta Esprit delivers 192 precisely focused beams of gamma radiation to small targets inside the brain. Delivery of radiation is concentrated into a single, precisely aimed point where all 192 beams converge to treat the diseased tissue while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Its benefits include:
- Targeted treatment of previously inaccessible areas
- High cure rate
- Delivery of maximum dose to target area
- Low risk of damage to nearby healthy tissue
- Low morbidity
- Painless treatment
- Return home the same day
- High patient satisfaction and quality of life
What to Expect During Treatment
Gamma knife treatment is painless and noiseless. The entire procedure takes one to four hours, with the actual treatment being performed in a single session that lasts 20 to 60 minutes. Patients typically go home on the same day. Treatment requires the combined skills of the Gamma Knife Center team, including a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, neuroradiologist, medical physicist, imaging technologist, specially trained nurse and radiation therapist.
The effects of the treatment occur over an extended period of time, ranging from a few weeks or months to several years. The results are monitored by your physician.
Each step in the treatment process is focused on your comfort and well-being, while achieving superior clinical outcomes and efficiency.
This short video provides useful insights into the Gamma Knife patient experience:
Patient-Centric Technology
A gentler treatment alternative to conventional radiotherapy treatment and invasive surgery for many debilitating intracranial conditions, Elekta Esprit enables the safe treatment of fragile or pediatric patients. Very low dose outside target contributes to the safe and effective treatment of patients with minimal side effects, ensuring the patient’s quality of life is maintained.
The Elekta Esprit also has ergonomic features designed to promote greater patient comfort:
- The Elekta Esprit open design enables the care team to see and communicate with patients during the entire treatment process.
- Its silent treatment delivery creates a calm and comforting atmosphere.
- Great personal sound quality and connection to devices means that patients have the option to listen to their choice of music and podcasts during treatments.
- Elekta Esprit offers two methods of patient immobilization – frameless and frame-based fixation – that provide mechanical interfaces to the treatment equipment docking device. Both methods are designed to promote optimum treatment accuracy.
Patients typically return home after treatment and can resume normal activities within 48 hours.
