The Gamma Knife® and Gamma Knife radiosurgery are considered by many to be the “gold standards” of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain lesions, providing results comparable to or better than conventional surgery in many cases, without the need for a surgical incision or protracted recovery in hospital.
View a treatment guide for minimally invasive Gamma Knife radiosurgery available at Cleveland Clinic.
Gamma Knife – An innovative outpatient treatment for patients with a metastatic brain tumors
Informational Podcast
Learn more about this minimally invasive treatment option for brain tumors available at Cleveland Clinic.
Cleveland Clinic Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Program
Cleveland Clinic Neurosurgeons and Radiation Oncologists were the first to bring stereotactic radiosurgery to Ohio in August of 1989 using a modified linear accelerator. Their extensive experience in over 300 radiosurgery cases at Cleveland Clinic led them to conclude that the benefits of stereotactic radiosurgery would be available to more patients by offering Gamma Knife radiosurgery as an alternative or, in some cases as an adjunct, to conventional neurosurgical procedures. In its first year the Program treated 214 cases, making this the most successful first-year Gamma Knife Center in North America at that time. Our Gamma Knife Center is also one of only a handful of training centers world-wide certified by the manufacturer of the Gamma Knife for training of professionals for Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedures.
In July 2007, we were the second Center in the country to upgrade our equipment to the most technologically advanced model available, Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™, which allows treatment in a wider range of anatomical structures, improves treatment planning, increases patient comfort and reduces treatment time. The new equipment, uses all image modalities, including PET, CT and MRI, as well as reduced treatment time. We have treated over 3500 patients with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
The most common indication for Gamma Knife radiosurgery procedure is brain metastases, a condition that afflicts nearly a quarter of patients suffering from cancer. For the past several years, the most common indication of all Gamma Knife radiosurgery treatments at our center was for metastatic disease. The remaining percentage of Gamma Knife radiosurgery treatments were for primary and benign tumors, trigeminal neuralgia and arteriovenous malformations.
We strive to provide physicians and patients with accurate information, clinical excellence, and prompt service. Appointments, second opinions or consultations can typically be arranged within 48 hours. When travel is inconvenient, cases will be reviewed by our Gamma Knife Case Review Board through our eCleveland Clinic second opinion program.
To schedule an evaluation with a Burkhardt Brain Tumor Center specialist to determine if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an option for you, please call our Appointment Center at 216.636.5860 or toll-free at 866.588.2264.
