Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

If you have been diagnosed with a brain disorder or a brain tumor, you may be a candidate for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. Additionally, patients may also seek Gamma Knife Radiosurgery treatment due to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, balance issues, headaches, facial pain, tremors or other symptoms.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is the most advanced treatment available for the following conditions:

What is Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery?

Radiosurgery is the delivery of a single, large dose of radiation to a specific target in the brain with surgical precision. The radiation will react on a molecular level with the cancer cells and stop their reproduction, which kills the cancer.
Stereotactic refers to precise positioning in three-dimensional space. In Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, this means a 3-D reference frame is attached to the patient’s head during the procedure.
View “About Gamma Knife Radiosurgery” video.

Most Advanced Treatment

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is the most advanced treatment available and is preferred for its extreme accuracy and efficiency. Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, often called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), uses radiation to treat the brain. Using this method, doctors are able to focus radiation directly, and very precisely, on the target in the brain without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.

Through the use of three-dimensional, computer-aided planning and the high degree of immobilization of the patient, the treatment can minimize the amount of radiation to surrounding healthy brain tissue.

Leading Edge Technology and the Gold Standard of Care

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is known as the gold standard of care. It is performed in hundreds of leading hospitals and clinics around the world. More than 30,000 patients every year worldwide are treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Billings Clinic is the only health care organization in a 5-state area offering treatment using the Gamma Knife (Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion®). The 5-state area includes Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Benefits of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery at Billings Clinic

Expert care close to home

Team of specialists from multiple specialties working together to provide the best possible care
Specialists received advanced training in Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Since no incision is made, risks of surgical complications are low
The recovery period is very short compared to surgery
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery offers a more favorable quality of life before, during and after the procedure
Most patients are treated during a single outpatient visit and resume normal activities within a few days

Team of Physicians

A team of specialists at Billings Clinic plans, reviews and implements the Gamma Knife Radiosurgery treatment for each patient. The team may consist of physicians in neurology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation; and medical physicists. Coordinated care delivery is facilitated through a dedicated nurse navigation team.