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- The Gamma Knife Isn't a Knife at All.
More than 40 years ago, a team of researchers perfected a revolutionary procedure for cranial surgery that we now call the Gamma Knife. At the Gamma Knife Center at Doctors Hospital, brain tumors, vascular malformations and a number of other disorders affecting the brain and neck are treated. A notable aspect of the Gamma Knife is that it is not actually a knife. It is a device that uses 192 invisible intersecting gamma ray “blades” to selectively destroy brain tumors and other abnormalities without harming normal tissue or adjacent nerves and blood vessels.
For patients, the Gamma Knife offers a virtually painless option to surgery. There is no physical entry into the brain. It does not require anesthesia. And because it is noninvasive, there is no scarring or disfigurement and little risk of infection. Patients usually go home and resume normal activities the same day as their procedure.
Would You Benefit from Gamma Knife Surgery?
There are many times when conventional surgery is simply not possible or desired. The risk may be too great because of the abnormal tissue’s location in the brain. Other illnesses may be present, or the age of a patient may preclude invasive procedures. The Gamma Knife is never excluded by these conditions.
Our Gamma Knife team will work with your own physician, who is an active partner in your treatment. To determine if you are a candidate for the Gamma Knife, a complete review of your medical history is performed, with CT scans, MRIs and angiographic studies provided as necessary. Then, alternative treatments are considered, including open surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. If it is determined that you would benefit from Gamma Knife treatment, the complete process will be discussed with you in detail.
Patient-Friendly Care
Gamma Knife treatment is not physically or psychologically traumatic. Your care is personalized, and we go to great measures to ensure you are comfortable. We will answer all your questions and make sure you understand exactly what will happen during the Gamma Knife procedure.
On the morning of your treatment, a mild sedative is administered and you are brought to the Gamma Knife suite. A stereotactic frame, a lightweight metal frame that both immobilizes your head and helps doctors precisely target the tumor or malformation, is attached to your head. There is no pain, but you may experience a feeling of pressure that should disappear in minutes.
From the Gamma Knife suite, you are taken to the radiodiagnostic area, where imaging is performed using MRI and/or angiography. Your neurosurgeon, physicist and radiation oncologist determine your appropriate dosage and treatment. The computer is then programmed to “lock in” the specific coordinates.
During treatment, you may be moved into different positions, each lasting one to 20 minutes. You will feel no discomfort while the radiation beams destroy the target. You will be monitored by video and will be in constant communication with the doctors.
The Gamma Knife is Safe and Effective
The results of the Gamma Knife speak for themselves. To date, more than 400,000 patients worldwide have undergone Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Since October 1993, nearly 6,000 treatments have been successfully performed at Doctors Hospital.
Backed by more than four decades of well-documented research, today’s sophisticated neuroradiological and computer technology allows even greater accuracy and success with this procedure. Doctors Hospital recently installed the latest generation of this state-of-the-art technology, the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion. This innovative system dramatically broadens the use of stereotactic radiosurgery, making it possible to treat neck and cervical lesions and multiple lesions with ease.
Individual beams of gamma radiation are too weak to affect brain tissue on their own. However, by precisely focusing the 192 intersecting radiation beams, the gamma Knife can pinpoint and destroy a tumor or other abnormality while minimizing any effects to surrounding tissue. The full results of Gamma Knife treatment occur over a period of time — weeks or even years. Your treatment will be followed by your own physician and our medical team, and your condition will be monitored throughout the entire period of care.
Doctors Hospital: At the Forefront of Gamma Knife Treatment
Doctors Hospital is uniquely qualified to treat brain tumors and other abnormalities. It was the first institution in Florida to offer Gamma Knife radiosurgery and is one of a few select facilities in the United States using the Perfexion. At the Gamma Knife Center, you’ll find surgical expertise, the latest equipment and a team of world-renowned physicians who are completely dedicated to providing the best possible treatment for every patient.
About Doctors Hospital
Located in historic Coral Gables, Florida, Doctors Hospital is a 281-bed, acute care facility delivering the highest standards of medical care. The hospital enjoys a reputation for excellence in patient care, with medical specialties in orthopedics and sports medicine, technologically advanced operating suites and the latest radiologic imaging services. Doctors Hospital is an affiliate of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region.
Personalized care isn’t offered only to patients from the area; Baptist Health treats more than 12,000 international patients a year through Baptist Health International Center of Miami.
The multilingual staff provides exclusive attention and complimentary assistance with all medical and travel needs. Services include 24-hour emergency on-call services; coordination of air ambulance transfers from any part of the world; prompt scheduling of hospital, physician and diagnostic testing appointments; transportation to and from the airport; and special rates at area hotels.
To schedule an appointment, call 786-308-3700. For more information regarding services for international patients, contact the International Center at 786-308-3740 or international@baptisthealth.net.