Gamma Knife and CyberKnife Treatment

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Gamma Knife and CyberKnife Treatment

  • Category

    Oncology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    30-Jun-2025

Gamma Knife treatment

Gamma Knife Treatment is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) where a single, high dose of intense radiation is applied to target abnormalities in the brain. In spite of the name, no actual cutting is involved—it's an outpatient procedure that's non-surgical.

What is Gamma Knife?

Gamma Knife employs 192 or 201 highly focused beams of gamma radiation that are used to target and treat brain ailments. It is very precise, sparing normal brain tissue while providing a concentrated dose to a particular region.

CyberKnife radiosurgery

CyberKnife Radiosurgery is a sophisticated, non-surgical procedure that applies robotic accuracy and real-time imaging to deliver focused high-dose radiation to tumors or lesions anywhere in the body—not only in the brain. It's especially useful when surgery is too dangerous or impossible.

What is CyberKnife?

CyberKnife is a robotic radiosurgery platform that produces intense radiation beams from many directions, focusing on tumors with sub-millimeter precision. It differs from conventional radiotherapy in that it follows the movement of tumors (e.g., with breathing) and compensates in real-time.

Gamma Knife vs CyberKnife

Gamma Knife

  • Gamma Knife is designed to treat brain disorders and is restricted to intracranial conditions like brain tumor, AVMs, trigeminal neuralgia, and other brain lesions. 
  • Gamma Knife utilizes gamma radiation produced by Cobalt-60 sources, with approximately 192–201 beams converging accurately at the target in the brain. 
  • Gamma Knife has, in the past, utilized a stiff metal helmet screwed into the patient's head for precise targeting of the brain lesion. 
  • Although newer generations provide mask-based systems, the traditional method can be uncomfortable. 
  • Gamma Knife treatment is typically single session and takes anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the case. 
  • Gamma Knife does not provide real-time tracking; its accuracy is provided by the fixed targeting and rigid head frame, which is effective in case of stationary brain lesions.

CyberKnife

  • CyberKnife is far more versatile—it can be used to treat brain and body tumors, such as those in the spine, lung, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and prostate. 
  • This position CyberKnife better for patients with extracranial tumors or who have several sites within the body that needs to undergo radiosurgery. 
  • CyberKnife applies a linear accelerator to deliver X-ray beams supported on a robotic arm, which has the ability to move around the patient and administer radiation from hundreds of directions. 
  • This robot delivery enables CyberKnife to treat irregular shapes and compensate for movement during treatment. 
  • CyberKnife is fully frameless. It employs a thermoplastic mask or custom body mold, which is much more comfortable, particularly for claustrophobic or children patients. 
  • CyberKnife typically takes 1 to 5 sessions, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. 
  • One of CyberKnife's greatest strengths is its real-time motion tracking system. It always accounts for tumor motion (such as respiration during lung treatment), which means that it is optimal for mobile or soft tissue tumors.

Gamma Knife brain tumor

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a very accurate, non-surgical treatment of brain tumors. Although the term is "surgery," no incision is made—rather, focused gamma radiation is used to kill or reduce abnormal tissue in the brain.

Which Brain Tumors Does Gamma Knife Treat?

Gamma Knife is most often applied for the following benign and malignant brain tumors:

  • Meningiomas
  • Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas)
  • Pituitary adenomas
  • Craniopharyngiomas
  • Glomus tumors
  • Brain metastases (spread from cancers such as lung, breast, melanoma, etc.)
  • Low-grade gliomas (selected cases)

How Gamma Knife Treats Brain Tumors?

  • Imaging: MRI or CT scans are employed to create a precise mapping of the tumor's size and location.
  • Immobilization: The head is kept stationary by a stereotactic head frame or custom mask to allow accurate delivery.
  • Treatment Planning: A computer algorithm determines the best radiation dose and path.
  • Delivery of Radiation: 192 or 201 beams of gamma radiation are directed at the tumor, converging to provide a high dose to the target with minimal exposure to nearby healthy brain tissue.

CyberKnife for prostate cancer

CyberKnife radiosurgery is a very accurate, non-surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer. It employs robotic technology and real-time movement monitoring to precisely deliver high doses of radiation to the prostate tumor, sparing nearby tissues such as the bladder and rectum.

Who Can Benefit from CyberKnife for Prostate Cancer?

CyberKnife is generally advised for men with:

  • Localized prostate cancer (low to intermediate risk)
  • Early-stage disease
  • Medically inoperable conditions (not healthy enough for surgery)
  • Individuals who wish to avoid surgery and receive outpatient treatment
  • Recurrence after prior radiation (selected cases)

How CyberKnife Treats Prostate Cancer?

  • Fiducial markers (small gold seeds) are implanted in the prostate prior to treatment for precise tracking.
  • A molded body mold is made for comfort and positioning.
  • Treatment is planned with CT and MRI scans.
  • CyberKnife gives 5 high-dose radiation doses (fractions) over 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Real-time image guidance enables prostate motion tracking (e.g., due to respiration or bladder filling) to guarantee sub-millimeter accuracy.

Factors Affecting Gamma Knife cost

Here are the key factors that affect the cost of Gamma Knife radiosurgery, especially in India and similar healthcare settings:

  • Hospital and Location
  • Type and Size of Brain Lesion
  • Number of Lesions Treated
  • Imaging and Planning Requirements
  • Physician and Technical Expertise
  • Hospital Stay and Post-Treatment Care

CyberKnife side effects

Below is an in-depth description of the side effects of CyberKnife treatment, which are generally mild and transient, but may depend on the treated part of the body, dose of radiation, and overall condition of the patient:

Brain and Spine Treatments

Treated for: Brain tumors, metastases, trigeminal neuralgia, spinal tumors

Common Side Effects:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or dizziness
  • Mild scalp or skin irritation
  • Short-term swelling of brain tissue (may need steroids)
  • In occasional instances: radiation necrosis, memory problems, or changes in the nervous system (depending on the site of the tumor)

Prostate Cancer

Used in: Localized or recurrent prostate cancer

Common Side Effects:

  • Increased frequency or urgency of urine
  • Slight burning sensation while passing urine
  • Impotence (less common than with surgery)
  • Temporary rectal soreness
  • Fatigue

These side effects tend to improve within several weeks

Lung Cancer

Used in: Early-stage lung cancer or metastases

Common Side Effects:

  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Breathlessness
  • Occasionally, radiation pneumonitis (inflammation of lung tissue)
  • Chest pain

Liver and Pancreatic Tumors

Used for: Initial liver cancer (HCC), pancreatic cancers, or metastases

Common Side Effects:

  • Mild abdominal cramps or bloating
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Transitory elevation of liver enzymes
  • Occasionally, radiation-induced liver damage (particularly in patients with a history of existing liver disease)

General Side Effects (For All Sites)

These may appear regardless of treatment location:

  • Fatigue (most frequent, typically mild)
  • Skin irritation or redness at the treated area (particularly for superficial tumors)
  • Inflammation or swelling near the target site
  • Mild loss of appetite or overall malaise

Long-Term or Infrequent Side Effects

Although infrequent, long-term effects are based on:

  • Radiation dose
  • Number of treatments
  • Distance from sensitive organs
  • They can include:
  • Delayed organ injury (e.g., rectum, bladder, lungs)
  • Radiation-induced second cancers (rare beyond all measure)
  • Chronic pain or fibrosis in the treatment site

Gamma Knife surgery recovery

The following is a full description of Gamma Knife surgery recovery, what to expect day of procedure, short term, and long term:

Immediate Recovery (Day of Procedure)

  • Outpatient Procedure: The majority of patients are discharged home on the same day, 4 to 6 hours from the time of arrival.
  • After Head Frame Removal: If a rigid head frame has been applied, you will experience:
  • Minimal swelling, bruising, or tenderness at the pin sites
  • Mild headache or dizziness
  • Observation: You'll be observed for several hours after treatment for side effects.
  • Activity: You may usually return to light activity the same day unless instructed otherwise.

Short-Term Recovery (First Few Days to Weeks)

Temporary Side Effects Most Common:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Mild numbness or tightness on the scalp (if head frame was applied)
  • Discomfort or swelling at the frame area
  • Medication: Physicians may order:
  • Steroids (such as dexamethasone) to minimize brain swelling
  • Pain medication for mild pain
  • Rest: Light activity and regular routine may be resumed, but heavy activity is best avoided for several days.

Mid-Term Recovery (Weeks to Months)

  • Radiation Effects: Gamma Knife takes time to act, so changes in the tumor (shrinking or necrosis) usually happen weeks to months later, not immediately.
  • Follow-up Imaging: An MRI or CT scan will probably be required 6–12 weeks following treatment to determine response.
  • Neurological Changes: Worsening of symptoms could be caused by swelling temporarily, not tumor growth. Steroids could be useful.

Long-Term Recovery and Monitoring

  • A majority of patients recover completely within a few days to a week.
  • In the long term, the brain adapts slowly to the effects of radiosurgery.
  • Long-term follow-up for several years is necessary for benign tumors (such as acoustic neuromas or meningiomas) to assess growth or shrinkage.
  • For malignant tumors or metastases, frequent imaging and multidisciplinary surveillance are indicated.

Gamma Knife success rate

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is well known for its high success rate, particularly for brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and trigeminal neuralgia. Success is defined as tumor control, symptom improvement, and low recurrence. Here is the breakdown by disease:

Benign Brain Tumors (such as Meningioma, Acoustic Neuroma)

  • Success Rate: 90–97% tumor control

Brain Metastases

  • Success Rate: 85–95% local tumor control

Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)

  • 80–90% complete obliteration within 2–3 years (for small/medium AVMs)

Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Success in Pain Relief: 80–90% of patients find notable pain relief.

CyberKnife head and neck cancer treatment

CyberKnife radiosurgery is a sophisticated, non-surgical approach to treating most forms of head and neck cancer, especially when conventional surgery or radiation is dangerous, not possible, or already tried. It is highly focused radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy that spares surrounding critical structures such as the eyes, spinal cord, jawbone, salivary glands, and brainstem.

Types of Head and Neck Cancers That Can be Treated with CyberKnife

CyberKnife can treat primary and recurrent cancers, including:

  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  • Oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal tumors
  • Laryngeal cancer
  • Paranasal sinus tumors
  • Base of skull tumors
  • Recurrent head and neck cancers
  • Salivary gland tumors
  • Cervical spine metastases (in neck region near)

How CyberKnife Treats Head and Neck Tumors?

  • Imaging & Planning: High-resolution CT, MRI, or PET-CT scans to identify tumor position and surrounding organs.
  • Custom Mask Immobilization: Frameless thermoplastic mask immobilizes the head and neck.
  • Treatment Delivery: A robotic arm directs intense beams of radiation from multiple hundreds of directions, and real-time image guidance monitors tumor position and compensates for the slightest movement.
  • Session Duration: The majority of treatments consist of 1–5 sessions lasting around 30–90 minutes.

Best Hospitals for Gamma Knife treatment

Top Surgeron for Gamma Knife

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