Gamma Knife Edgewood

Gamma Knife Surgery at St. Joseph Medical Center

South Sound Gamma Knife, located at St. Joseph Medical Center, is proud to offer cutting-edge Gamma Knife® radiosurgery to patients in Edgewood, WA, and beyond. As the only facility between Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR, that provides Gamma Knife treatment, South Sound Gamma Knife has established itself as a center of excellence in the South Puget Sound region. This specialized, state-of-the-art facility has treated patients from across the country, providing hope and healing for those diagnosed with brain tumors and other complex neurological conditions.

 What is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a highly advanced form of radiotherapy treatment, also known as stereotactic radiosurgery. Despite the name, Gamma Knife surgery does not involve any traditional surgery or incisions. Instead, it uses precisely focused beams of gamma radiation to target and treat affected areas within the brain.

The key advantage of Gamma Knife treatment is its ability to deliver high doses of radiation with extreme accuracy. By focusing these beams on a specific area, such as a tumor, the procedure effectively destroys the targeted cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. This precision makes Gamma Knife an excellent option for patients with inoperable tumors or those who are considered high-risk for conventional surgery due to pre-existing health conditions.

Patients undergoing Gamma Knife treatment experience minimal discomfort. The procedure is non-invasive, which means there are no incisions, and patients do not need to be hospitalized for an extended period of time. Most treatments are done in a single session, with many patients returning to their normal activities the following day.

Conditions Treated with Gamma Knife

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is used to treat a wide range of conditions that affect the brain. Some of the most common conditions treated at South Sound Gamma Knife include:

• Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumor that affects the nerve responsible for hearing and balance.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the brain that can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
• Brain Tumors: Both benign and malignant brain tumors can be effectively treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
• Essential Tremor: A neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking, most commonly in the hands, but can also affect the voice and head.
• Metastatic Tumors: Cancers that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body.
• Pituitary Adenomas: Tumors that occur in the pituitary gland, which can affect hormone production.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense facial pain.

These are just a few examples of the conditions that can be successfully treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The versatility of the treatment, combined with its non-invasive nature, makes it an appealing option for patients seeking advanced care for brain disorders.

Gamma Knife Treatment Edgewood – Protect Healthy Brain Tissue with Gamma Knife

One of the key benefits of Gamma Knife radiosurgery is its precision, which helps protect healthy brain tissue while effectively targeting diseased areas. This level of accuracy is achieved through a combination of sophisticated technology and meticulous planning.

At South Sound Gamma Knife, patients undergo a detailed imaging process before the treatment begins. This imaging allows the medical team to create a three-dimensional map of the patient’s brain, identifying the exact location of the tumor or abnormality. This map is used to guide the 192 converging beams of high-dose radiation generated by the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon™.

Because the beams are so precisely focused, the surrounding healthy tissue is largely unaffected. This minimizes the risk of side effects and long-term damage, which is especially important when treating delicate areas of the brain near critical structures such as the brainstem or optic nerves. The ability to target tumors and other abnormalities with such precision sets Gamma Knife apart from other forms of radiation therapy.

The Gamma Knife Treatment Process

The Gamma Knife treatment process at South Sound Gamma Knife is designed to be as comfortable and efficient as possible for patients. From the initial consultation to the post-treatment follow-up, the medical team ensures that each patient receives personalized care and support throughout their journey.

Initial Consultation

Before undergoing Gamma Knife treatment, patients meet with a team of specialists that includes neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and other professionals. During this consultation, the medical team will review the patient’s medical history, conduct imaging studies, and determine if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the most appropriate treatment option.

Preparing for Treatment

Once a patient is approved for Gamma Knife treatment, the next step is to prepare for the procedure. Patients are outfitted with a custom-fit headframe or mask, depending on the location of the tumor or abnormality. The headframe helps keep the patient’s head perfectly still during the treatment, ensuring that the radiation beams are delivered with maximum accuracy.

The Treatment Session

The actual Gamma Knife procedure is typically completed in a single session, lasting anywhere from one to several hours depending on the complexity of the treatment. The patient lies comfortably on a treatment bed, and the headframe or mask is secured in place. During the treatment, the patient does not feel any pain, and many patients report that the experience is similar to having an MRI scan.

Post-Treatment Recovery

After the treatment is completed, most patients are able to go home the same day. There is no need for an extended hospital stay, and the recovery time is minimal. Some patients may experience mild side effects, such as fatigue or headaches, but these symptoms usually resolve within a few days. The medical team at South Sound Gamma Knife provides detailed post-treatment instructions and follows up with patients to monitor their progress.

Gamma Knife Procedure edgewood – Advanced Technology at South Sound Gamma Knife