Gamma Knife / CyberKnife

Noninvasive treatment methods that treat certain brain diseases by directing high-dose radiation to the target with millimetric precision, without making an incision.

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Stereotactic Radiosurgery

This hub page brings together 2 conditions under Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Use it to move from overview content to the relevant disease detail pages.

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1Overview

Quick and clear information for patients

What is this Condition?

Although Gamma Knife and CyberKnife have 'knife' in their names, they are not actual surgery; they are radiation therapy methods performed without making an incision. Multiple radiation beams converge at a single point to deliver a high dose to the target tissue, while surrounding healthy brain tissue is protected as much as possible. In Gamma Knife, the head remains immobilized throughout treatment; CyberKnife uses a robotic arm to direct the beam from different angles and does not require a head frame. Generally does not require anesthesia and patients usually return home the same day. This method is used for certain brain tumors, vascular malformations, and intractable facial pain. The effect usually takes weeks, months, or even years to appear.

Symptoms

Patients with certain benign brain tumors such as acoustic neuromas

Patients with tumors located in surgically high-risk areas or unsuitable for surgery

Patients with limited number of small metastatic brain lesions

Intractable trigeminal neuralgia unresponsive to medication and unsuitable for surgery

Patients with vascular malformations (AVM) unsuitable for surgical intervention

Generally small to medium-sized targets (approximately less than 3-4 cm); very large lesions may not be suitable for this method

Diagnosis Methods

As this is a treatment method, the decision-making process is paramount. Suitability for a particular patient is determined by evaluating the type, size, and location of the tumor or lesion and the patient's general condition. MR, CT, and when necessary, vascular imaging precisely locate the target. The decision is usually made by a multidisciplinary team including neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and neurology specialists. The lesion size being appropriate for this method is an important criterion.

Treatment Methods

Detailed imaging is performed before treatment and the radiation field is planned to millimetric precision. In Gamma Knife application, the head is fixed to remain immobilized throughout treatment and multiple radiation beams converge at the target point. In CyberKnife, a robotic arm directs the beam from various angles; real-time imaging compensates for small movements and no head frame is needed. The procedure is usually performed without anesthesia and patients are typically discharged the same day. Since the effect takes time to appear, regular imaging follow-up is necessary afterward.

Gamma Knife: single-session application where the head is immobilized and multiple radiation beams converge at the target

CyberKnife: application using a robotic arm to direct the beam from different angles without requiring a head frame

Millimetric planning of the target using MR/CT before treatment

Regular imaging follow-up after application to evaluate the effect over time

Treatment Path

Related Treatments

The procedures and interventions most commonly explored with this condition.

4 links

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife procedure

Open treatment detail

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife procedure

Open treatment detail

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy procedure

Open treatment detail

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile procedure

Open treatment detail

Editorial Notes

References

Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023:1904-1908.
Quiñones-Hinojosa A, ed. Schmidek and Sweet Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021:1295.
Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023.

This content is for informational purposes and based on academic sources; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

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Gamma Knife / CyberKnife

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

1Overview

What is this Condition?

Symptoms

Diagnosis Methods

Treatment Methods

Related Treatments

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

Related Blog Posts

Brain Metastases: When Is Gamma Knife the Right Option?

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma): When Is Gamma Knife Considered?

References

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Related Treatments

Stereotaktik radyocerrahi (SRC) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Stereotaktik radyoterapi (SBRT) - Gamma Knife, Cyberknife

Endoscopic Tumor Biopsy

Glial tümörler, internal dekompresyon, mikrocerrahi ile

Related Blog Posts

Brain Metastases: When Is Gamma Knife the Right Option?

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma): When Is Gamma Knife Considered?

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