Gamma Knife is a non-invasive technique for treating brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, arteriovenous malformations, and other brain conditions without surgery. It uses multiple beams of radiation concentrated on the tumor to destroy the tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding areas. Patients experience few side effects and quick recovery times compared to traditional brain surgery. Over 500,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Gamma Knife with promising outcomes. Hospitals should implement Gamma Knife programs to offer this treatment option and improve patient survival rates and quality of life.

1. Gamma knife solution Promise of a New Day Gamma Knife Surgery … No Scalpel Required

2. Meet our superhero… Gamma Knife Man The Gamma Knife was invented in 1967 by Lars Leskell, a Swedish neurosurgeon. In 1986, the first commercially dedicated Leksell Gamma Knife Machine was used. Today, Gamma Knife is used for more than just brain tumors, giving patients with many difficult diagnoses hope.

3. This year 22,010 new cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed. 13,140 of the 22,010 will die shortly after diagnosis American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010.

4. Surgery to remove a tumor is not always possible because it may be inaccessible or because surgery would damage parts of the brain necessary for the functioning of the mind and/or body. Even a benign tumor in the brain can be life threatening.

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6. Gamma Knife treats brain tumors Gary Middleton’s Gamma Knife procedure was much less traumatic and invasive than the 10-hour unsuccessful surgery he underwent last November for his tumor. "They didn't have to shave my head or anything this time," he said. "Before, they had to drill up through the roof of my mouth and into my brain to get to the tumor. But this Gamma Knife is really easy. The actual treatments only took about 20 minutes altogether. I got two doses of radiation that lasted about eight minutes each." "I didn't feel any pain at all. I had a bit of a headache when it was over because you can feel a little pressure where they attach the helmet, but that was it." University of Maryland Medical Center

7. 14,000 people are diagnosed with inoperable trigeminal neuralgia (TN) each year. TN is a condition that affects one of the largest nerves in the head and causes severe stabbing pain from a touch to the affected area, but in many patients the pain is generated spontaneously without any stimulation. Cold wind, high pitched sounds, loud noises, chewing, and talking can aggravate the condition.

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9. Gamma Knife treats Trigeminal Neuralgia For almost four years, Pastor George Snyder suffered with inexplicable and unexpected pain. “It was like a lightning bolt hit my head. It could happen at any time.” Pastor Snyder was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. Oral medications helped control the problem, but the pills affected Pastor Snyder’s brain. He couldn’t remember the sermons he wrote, and he could barely recall how to get to the grocery store. For three weeks after the treatment, Pastor Snyder had infrequent and less intense pain—and then all of a sudden, the pain was gone permanently. “I was only in the gamma knife for 45 minutes,” remembers Pastor Snyder. University of Maryland Medical Center

10. It is estimated that about one in 200-500 people may have an arteriovenous malformation. An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of abnormally connecting veins and arteries in the brain. The vessels in an AVM weaken over time, making them prone to rupture and bleed. The cause isn't clear. You may not know you have a brain AVM until you experience symptoms, such as headaches or a seizure. In serious cases, the blood vessels rupture, causing a brain hemorrhage.

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12. Gamma Knife Cures an Inoperable AVM When Lauri, 27, went to the hospital complaining of a severe headache, neurosurgeons discovered her AVM . It had ruptured, spewing blood into the cerebrospinal fluid. The neurosurgeons referred Lauri to Dr. Robert Spetzler at Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Spetzler planned to remove the AVM in two surgeries, but during the first surgery, he found that the AVM was so large and complex and located in such a critical area that removing it would likely result in brain damage. The Gamma Knife treatment was her only option. It worked. Her AVM was completely gone. "I was very thankful," says Lauri. "They actually said they didn't see the AVM any more. Can you imagine that?“ Barrow Neurological Institute

13. Why Gamma Knife? Gamma Knife technology offers hope to patients who were formerly considered untreatable by eliminating the need to open the skull. Precise shaping of the radiation beam protects critical structure surrounding the lesion thereby enabling a higher dose to the target less damage from scatter rays

14. Additional uses for Gamma Knife Treatment of choice for children, pregnant women and benign brain diseases, by preventing long term complications of radiation tx Only FDA approved system for brain metastases

15. Very few post-operative side effects No need for anesthesia in adults No recuperation period Cost effective in comparison to surgical intervention

16. How does Gamma Knife Surgery work?

17. Literature Review There are over 2000 peer reviewed scientific articles confirming the unsurpassed outcomes of Gamma Knife technology Gamma Knife has treated more than 500,000 patients worldwide

18. To remain cutting edge and give patients the best chance of survival, hospitals without a Gamma Knife must implement a program.

19. Implementation at the Facility Provide a state of the art facility with available and accessible parking Provide state of the art equipment and software to analyze and implement treatments Frequent software updates

20. Implementation for the Staff Priority on the hiring of adequately skilled and trained staff to implement the treatment/procedure efficiently and effectively Provide on-site training to staff

21. Implementing Community Awareness Advertise in local magazines, newspapers and websites Physicians to speak at conferences and local gatherings in the medical community to spread the word and inform the medical community of the risks, benefits and treatment