Gamma Knife treatment in Türkiye

Gamma Knife is one of the most advanced techniques used in the treatment of diseases affecting the brain and has been accepted as the “gold standard” for stereotactic radiosurgery. Gamma Knife therapy is a treatment system that enables the destruction of diseased brain tissue, the coordinates of which are determined using gamma rays. Using the Gamma Knife, you can treat:

• Benign brain tumors (meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and acoustic neuroma)
• Malignant brain tumors (brain metastases, gliomas).

This treatment is also used in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases such as (arteriovenous malformations) and functional brain diseases such as (trigeminal neuralgia, paralysis, parkinsonism, and epilepsy), as well as brain tumors.

The treatment uses a single, high dose of gamma rays delivered through up to 192 individual beams that crisscross in one location with an accuracy of less than a tenth of a millimeter (the thickness of writing paper). Gamma Knife treats brain lesions with enough radiation to control them so that they disappear, shrink or stop growing. It can also be used to treat brain problems even in the most severe and difficult areas without applying large doses of radiation to healthy brain tissue.

The knife treatment is classified as “scalpel-less surgery” as it does not require an incision in the scalp or an opening in the skull. This is generally preferred in cases where open neurosurgery is not possible or involves high risks.

What is the “Gamma Knife” treatment?

Gamma Knife treatment is not a knife treatment! Rather, it is a radiosurgery device that works by means of gamma rays, which are delivered through 192 radiation beams that enable it to correct many diseases and abnormalities of the brain in one day without surgery, incision, or general anesthesia, and with extreme accuracy.

How does the gamma knife work?

It works by applying 192 focused beams of gamma rays thanks to advanced imaging technology and 3D treatment planning software to tiny points in the brain. All radiations are of low strength so as not to harm the brain in order to reach the target and protect healthy tissues.

What are the benefits of this technology?

Being a non-hospital treatment, it is bloodless, painless, does not require hair shaving and allows the patient to return to daily activities quickly.

The need for post-operative rehabilitation is much less than the surgery. More than 700,000 patients have been treated worldwide and have had long-term, well-documented treatment outcomes. In some cases, it can be used with surgery or radiotherapy, and in some cases it may be the only treatment. The treatment is also a good alternative for patients who are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery.

What diseases can be treated with Gamma Knife therapy?

Malignant brain tumors , benign brain tumors, functional diseases, vascular diseases, eye tumors, and head and neck tumors can be treated with this device. This decision must be made by the team of doctors who will administer the treatment.

How might Gamma Knife treatment be recommended?

The treatment is recommended to many patients by their doctors. However, some patients can consider doing it themselves as the Gamma Knife team has the experience and equipment to determine the suitability of the treatment.

What information is used to determine the suitability of Gamma Knife treatment?

The multidisciplinary team determines the patient’s suitability by looking at medical and surgical history, physical examination findings, and imaging findings such as MRI/CT/PET.

Is Gamma Knife treatment effective?

The success rates for Gamma Knife treatment are quite impressive. It is a radiosurgical device that has been developed through more than 40 years of clinical studies and has shown unprecedented results. With the gradual development of clinical applications, this treatment has come to mind as the first treatment option for many disease groups. And through it, more than 700,000 patients on Earth have been treated, an average of 60,000 patients in this way every year.

Is Gamma Knife treatment safe?

The first goal in applying the Gamma Knife is to keep healthy tissue as possible. It reduces complications such as bleeding and infection that can be seen during surgery, general anesthesia, and open neurosurgery. The treatment usually does not require a hospital stay and the recovery time is also very fast.

Can it be applied to the elderly and patients with other diseases?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery offers a valuable treatment alternative for patients who have difficulties with surgery. Gamma Knife treatment is also an ideal solution for patients who have a serious medical condition that precludes anesthesia. The Gamma Knife technique is very useful in treating diseases that may cause functional damage during open neurosurgery or in hard-to-reach areas. It is also used as a complement to surgery, interventional neurological procedures, and radiotherapy.

What happens during a Gamma Knife treatment?

First, a very light metal frame is placed on the patient’s head, and this procedure is performed by a neurosurgeon under local anesthesia and in a comfortable environment. This framework allows the process to be carried out with extreme precision. First, an MRI scan is performed on the patient and, if necessary, an examination of the blood vessels is performed. The imaging data is also transferred to a computer for treatment planning. While the patient rests in his own room, the experienced treatment team (radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon and medical physicist) plans the treatment using advanced technology treatment programs. This operation takes an average of one hour depending on the complexity of the case and the location of the disease. After completing the design of the treatment plan for each patient individually, the patient is placed on the bed of the device and the procedure begins. The treatment takes an average of 15 minutes to an hour, and the patient does not feel anything.

At the end of the treatment, the patient is automatically taken outside and the neurosurgeon removes the frame.

Will I feel anything during the Gamma Knife treatment?

Patients do not see or feel the radiation during treatment. They may feel slight discomfort during tire placement, but overall the procedure is not painful at all.

Will I be awake while applying?

Patients remain awake and conscious during the procedure and despite the fact that the patient is alone in the room during the procedure, communication with the entire team is maintained thanks to the video and audio system.

Will the hair be shaved before the operation?

Haircuts are not required prior to the Gamma Knife procedure. But in some rare cases, hair loss may occur in a limited area after the operation, but it is usually not noticed.

What can be expected after treatment?

The frame is removed after the treatment is over. There may be a slight bleed where the small frame is installed. It is important to keep these areas clean. The patient is monitored for a few hours after the operation and then discharged from the hospital.

In general, it is not required to stay in the hospital. Follow-up procedures vary according to the diagnosis of the condition and are explained to the patient by the doctor.

How long is the Gbama Knife treatment effective?

Effects can be seen from a few months to several years, depending on the disease being targeted. The goal of Gamma Knife treatment is to control the disease as the radiation applied prevents the proliferating cells from affecting the DNA. In vascular diseases, blood flow is blocked by blocking vessels in abnormal areas.

What are the complications of Gamma Knife treatment?

The most common early complications are local pain and swelling in the skull and headache. Rash, itching, nausea, and seizures are rare. Late complications, which are less common, include localized hair loss and edema and necrosis in the treated area.

When can I return to normal daily activities?

Patients usually return to their daily activities within a few days. However, the symptoms of the disease for which the Gamma Knife treatment is performed persist for a period of time after the operation.

What is the difference between Gamma Knife and other radiotherapy procedures?

This treatment differs from classical radiotherapy in that it is used to treat head lesions only. It is considered a one-day radiosurgery device.

How can I get Gamma Knife treatment in Türkiye

Due to the Turkish superiority in the medical field in general and the treatment of tumors in particular, many health facilities and hospitals were able to obtain this device and benefit from this technology in treating many difficult cases.

Therefore, you must first contact the hospital to determine if you are eligible for treatment, and then complete communication with the medical teams to determine the date and method of treatment

Therefore, you can contact REHABTÜRK to obtain an evaluation and all treatment details.

How can I book for Gamma Knife treatment in Türkiye?

• Free medical support on the phone: You will have a dedicated representative for your health condition who is always ready to answer your questions.
• Free consultation with a specialist doctor: Your medical representative will consult with a number of doctors and hospitals to find the best possible treatments.
• Free travel visa arrangement: We will contact the embassy in your country to assist you in obtaining a visa to visit Türkiye.
• Free itinerary planning: We will create a schedule for your medical trip to Türkiye.
• Free translation of documents and reports: We will translate medical documents and reports into Turkish on your behalf.
• Free support and monitoring: We will monitor the stages of treatment and be by your side every step of the way.
• Free instant translation: We will be with you during the treatment stages to provide translation between you and the medical team.
• Free accommodation and transportation coordination: We will book accommodation for you and your companions in Türkiye, along with transportation services.

Contact REHABTÜRK doctors for more information about the procedure and to evaluate your medical condition.

Request a Free Consultation.