gamma knife radiosurgery treatment options

Stereotactic radiosurgery technology is used to treat tumors, irregular nerve bundles, and malformed blood vessels with no incisions. This non-invasive treatment is performed in one or two sessions using multiple radiation beams to precisely target the problem area, while sparing healthy cells. The technology relies on computer programming and sophisticated imaging, such as MRI and CT, to accurately target the tumor, nerves and blood vessels.

There are two main types of radiosurgery treatment:

What is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery?

Gamma Knife® radiosurgery has been in use for decades to successfully treat thousands of patients worldwide. It is used to treat a variety of conditions in the brain. Prior to the procedure, the patient is fitted with a stereotactic frame that helps immobilize the head and enables pinpoint accuracy.

At UPMC, more than 13,750 patients have been successfully treated with the Gamma Knife, making UPMC a leading center for this technology.

UPMC treats a variety of conditions using Gamma Knife technology, including:

What is the Cyberknife or Linear Accelerator?

In use since 1994, Cyberknife radiosurgery can treat tumors anywhere in the body, including tumors that cannot be surgically removed. Cyberknife has a growing list of applications, including the ability to treat tumors from prostate, lung, brain, kidney, and spine cancer. A computer guides beams of radiation and is able to adjust the patient’s breathing pattern while still hitting the desired target.

The Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery at UPMC is the nation’s premier provider of Gamma Knife procedures. If you have been diagnosed with a brain or spine condition and you’d like to make an appointment, or request more information, call us at 1-877-986-9862.