Gamma Knife Treatment in Charlotte

Gamma Knife® is a cutting-edge cancer therapy that uses gamma rays to treat brain disorders. Without any incisions, this specialized technology delivers a precise dose of radiation to the impacted area of the brain. 

At SERO, we’re thrilled to announce a new treatment center in Charlotte that will feature Gamma Knife® radiosurgery. In this facility, SERO will work with experts from the Levine Cancer Institute and Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates to bring together today’s most advanced radiosurgery technology.

Here’s why Gamma Knife® is the gold standard for non-invasive cancer treatment and how our top-ranked radiation therapy teams at SERO will deliver this state-of-the-art care.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gamma Knife® treatment sends highly focused radiation to the affected area of the brain without any incisions.
  • This treatment is often recommended for hard-to-reach tumors or abnormalities, or as an alternative or complement to traditional surgery.
  • It’s non-invasive and highly effective while limiting radiation exposure in healthy tissues.
  • SERO is an industry leader in radiosurgery. Get in touch today!

What is Gamma Knife® Treatment?

Gamma Knife Cancer Treatment

Gamma Knife® treatment, also known as “stereotactic radiosurgery,” is a precise, non-invasive option that focuses gamma rays on a tumor or lesion in the brain. 

No incisions or knives are used during the procedure. Instead, the radiation therapy team uses computer-guided technology to deliver gamma rays to a specific target in the brain. The radiation has minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissues.

Gamma Knife ® treatment is most commonly used for brain tumors such as brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain) or meningiomas, but may also be used for benign conditions such as vascular malformations, epilepsy, or trigeminal neuralgia.

How It Works

Gamma Knife® treatment begins by placing the head in a mask to ensure that the rays are precisely delivered.

Once in place, the radiation therapy team will obtain a CT scan and/or an MRI to get a detailed image of the brain. Sometimes a special dye is used to get a better look at blood vessels.

With this imaging, specialists define the treatment plan, including the radiation dose and location(s) to target. At this time, the patient will be positioned in the machine, which narrows the rays for even more accurate targeting.

Typically, the radiation treatment lasts 30 minutes to a few hours, though the timeline will depend on the patient’s needs, the location of the affected area, and more.

Best Use Cases

Gamma Knife® treatment is often recommended for hard-to-reach tumors or abnormalities that are deep in the brain or near critical blood vessels, optic nerves, or the brain stem. It also may be an effective alternative to invasive surgery in some situations. Gamma Knife® can be used for children undergoing pediatric cancer treatment.

Benefits Over Traditional Surgery

Overall, Gamma Knife® treatment in Charlotte provides several key advantages over traditional neurosurgery, including:

  • Less invasive, as there are no incisions, general anesthesia, or post-treatment complications
  • Same-day treatment that doesn’t require overnight stays or lengthy follow-up
  • Targets hard-to-reach tumors/areas with extreme precision
  • Little to no pain, with limited post-treatment discomfort and recovery within 1-2 days
  • Limits radiation exposure, as the treatment is highly accurate and preserves healthy tissues

Conditions That Gamma Knife Treats

Gamma Knife® treatment most commonly addresses tumors and lesions in the brain, both malignant and benign, such as:

  • Brain metastases (cancer spread to the brain)
  • Meningioma
  • Pituitary tumors (adenoma)
  • Gliomas (cancer of the brain itself)
  • Glomus tumors
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Other conditions

Gamma Knife® is also an effective treatment for children, which is why our new SERO treatment center will offer Gamma Knife® treatment for pediatric patients.

The Gamma Knife® Treatment Process

The Gamma Knife® treatment process is fairly straightforward. Here’s what you can expect on the day of your gamma knife radiation therapy.

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Pre-Treatment Preparation

Before your procedure, it’s important not to eat or drink anything. If you have medications, you may take them on the morning of your treatment. Wear your hair loose and put on comfortable clothing.

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The Gamma Knife Treatment Experience

The Gamma Knife® treatment process typically takes a few hours, but it’s completely painless. You won’t hear any noises or feel the radiation. Often patients sleep or listen to music during the procedure. At all times, you’ll have a microphone available to speak with your radiation therapy team.

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Post-Treatment and Follow-Up

After the procedure, you’ll be removed from the mask. If a head frame was used rather than a mask, which is rare, the pins would be taken out.

Some patients also experience fatigue, headaches, or nausea.

Within a few days, you should return to your normal routine. It’s recommended to keep your head elevated on pillows for the first week to reduce swelling. You may also take ibuprofen or tylenol for pain.

Benefits of Choosing SERO for Gamma Knife® Treatment

SERO is an industry leader in providing innovative and effective cancer treatment. Here’s why you should trust our SERO radiation oncologists to manage your gamma knife treatment in Charlotte, NC:

  • Experienced and knowledgeable SERO radiation oncologists
  • National leaders in research regarding radiosurgery
  • State-of-the-art equipment and technology
  • Personalized and compassionate care
  • Positive patient outcomes and success stories

Overall, we’re committed to achieving the very best patient outcomes through innovative treatments and highly specialized teams at our SERO centers.

Gamma Knife® Treatment for Children

We’re proud to provide specialized pediatric cancer treatment in Charlotte. Gamma Knife® is a top treatment for children, depending on the situation.

Compared to traditional neurosurgery, Gamma Knife® may carry lower risks for children. Specifically, initial studies suggest that it may increase survival time for kids with malignant lesions.

We’ll work with your family and a neurosurgeon to determine the most suitable and safe pediatric cancer treatment in Charlotte.

Contact SERO for Gamma Knife® Treatment

At SERO, we’ve put together top radiation therapy teams made up of cancer specialists from Atrium Health’s headliner institutions. We’re ready to provide world-class gamma knife treatment in Charlotte according to your family’s needs.

Contact SERO to schedule a consultation or appointment. We have 20+ cancer treatment centers in the Charlotte Metro area in order to deliver first-rate treatment. Find your nearest SERO center or talk to us about your options at (704) 680-6570.

Gamma Knife Treatment FAQs

Why is it called gamma knife treatment?

Gamma Knife® isn’t an actual knife. It gets its name from its pinpoint accuracy of up to one-tenth of a millimeter. This non-invasive treatment involves nearly 200 gamma rays targeting the exact tumor or lesion location.

What is the success rate of gamma knife treatment?

Gamma Knife® treatment is highly effective, and in some cases can carry a greater than 90% success in killing or reducing brain tumor growth.

Who is a part of a typical radiation therapy team?

Radiation therapy teams are multidisciplinary, consisting of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, radiation technicians, and more to provide the most effective gamma knife treatment.

Who is not a good candidate for Gamma Knife® treatment?

If you need treatment below the neck you are not a good candidate for Gamma Knife®. Not all brain tumors are appropriate for Gamma Knife®. Patients with previous radiation may not be good candidates. Your doctor will work with you to decide if this is the best treatment for you.

Can gamma knife treatment cause memory loss?

Gamma knife treatment is largely considered a low-risk procedure that doesn’t usually affect memory or brain function. Even so, the exact side effects of gamma knife treatment will depend on the affected area of the brain and the amount of radiation.

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