Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffGamma-knife radiosurgery is a type of radiation therapy used to treat tumors and other abnormalities in the brain.
In gamma-knife radiosurgery, specialized equipment focuses as many as close to 200 tiny beams of radiation on a tumor or other target. Although each beam has very little effect on the brain tissue it passes through, a strong dose of radiation is delivered to the site where all the beams meet.
The precision of gamma-knife radiosurgery results in minimal damage to healthy tissues surrounding the target and, in some cases, a lower risk of side effects compared with other types of radiation therapy. Also, gamma-knife radiosurgery is often a safer option than is traditional brain surgery.
Gamma-knife radiosurgery is usually a one-time therapy completed in a single day.
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