Gamma knife surgery, The common advantages

There is an ever rising incidence of Central Nervous System tumours, which comprise both of brain as well as spinal tumours. Based on the World Health Organization estimates as found in GLOBOCAN 2002, it is estimated that the incidence of primary malignant brain tumours is 3.7 per 100,000 perannum for males and 2.6 per 100,000 per annum for females. This represents anestimated 108,277 males and 81,305 females who were diagnosed with a primarymalignant brain tumor in 2002, an overall total of 189,582 individuals.

Considering the ever increasing number of individuals suffering from Brain tumours, doctors & scientists have been looking for effective treatment techniques for curing these tumours & studies have shown that Gamma Knife surgery is one of the best treatment method for certain specific types of tumours.

Contrary to its name, gamma knife surgery is a non invasive technique that uses radiation to treat the tumour. The procedure is also sometimes known as "Surgery without a knife" since it does not involve usage of any blade or knife.

Gamma Knife surgery is the most accepted and widely used radio surgery treatment in the world. About half a million people have been treated with Gamma Knife surgery, and it's the only Radiation Therapy System cleared by the FDA for irradiating brain metastases. The procedure has several advantages over the conventional surgery. Though it is a radio surgical procedure, it has such a dramatic and precise effect in the target zone that the changes are considered ‘surgical.' Also, there's no incision or blood, and thus has much faster recovery & minimal risk of complications.

The common advantages of Gamma Knife Surgery are


More accurate treatment
Faster treatment and time
Greater patient comfort
The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures.
No anaesthesia
Surgery without an incision
Lower costs than conventional brain surgery
Minimal discomfort
The ability to resume normal activities sooner
The absence of an incision eliminates the risk of haemorrhage and infection.

Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay or an outpatient surgical procedure. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities.