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CNI Stereotactic Radiosurgery Service
Patient Care
Conditions We Treat
Malignant Brain Tumors
Metastatic tumors refer to cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain. These types of tumors stemming from lung, breast, kidney, skin and other organs can be treated using the Gamma Knife. Typically, a single session can treat up to six individual tumors in one day. Even patients who have had whole brain radiation therapy may still be candidates for Gamma Knife radiosurgery if their tumors persist or show signs of regrowth. And, if new tumors appear months or years after your first Gamma Knife treatment in a new part of the brain, Gamma Knife can be safely used again. Overall, Gamma Knife treatment has demonstrated an approximate 80% control rate for metastatic tumors.
Primary brain tumors, such as astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and glioblastoma multiformi (GBM), can be treated using Gamma Knife as well. However, because these tumors usually affect a wide area of the brain, traditional neurosurgery or Gamma Knife radiosurgery will likely not provide a complete cure. If administered in concert with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes chemotherapy, biological response modifiers, antiangiogenesis agents, radiotherapy and open neurosurgery, however, Gamma Knife can help extend the length and quality of life for some patients.
Benign Tumors
Some of the normal structures surrounding the brain develop slow-growing tumors that do not typically invade the brain or metastasize. Because there is so little extra room inside the skull, these benign, slow-growing masses start pushing on the normal brain, which can cause a variety of problems.
Gamma Knife treatments have proven 95% effective in stopping these benign tumors from growing. Specifically, Gamma Knife is highly effective in treating:
- Acoustic neuromas (also known as vestibular schwannomas)
- Meningiomas
- Pituitary adenomas
While some tumors may already be too big to be treated with the Gamma Knife when they are discovered, this treatment can be used to further reduce the size following traditional neurosurgery. Gamma Knife treatment is also an excellent option for patients who formerly had these types of tumors removed via neurosurgery yet have begun to regrow.
Vascular Malformations
Gamma Knife can effectively treat arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and dural fistulas. These treatments are especially useful for deep-seated AVMs located in critical structures that are especially dangerous for open neurosurgery, such as the thalamus. The radiation causes the AVM to close up from within over a period of two-to-three years. Risks of bleeding caused by an AVM are about 3% annually—and that percentage is consistent with Gamma Knife treatment-- until the AVM is gone. For AVMs and dural fistulas that are located in high-risk locations within the brain, the Gamma Knife literally can be a life-saving treatment option.
Functional Neurological Disorders
- Facial Pain (trigeminal neuralgia): Gamma Knife radiosurgery has proven effective in treating approximately 80% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Half of these patients become completely pain-free. With most patients, pain significantly reduces or completely dissipates approximately one month following treatment.
- Hand Tremor: This form of functional neurological disorders is typically caused from essential type, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson' disease. Patients who receive Gamma Knife treatment typically experience gradual improvement of their tremors within two to four months following treatment.
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