Gamma Knife® radiosurgery is an advanced method of treatment that doctors at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network are using to treat brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain, skull-base tumors and the pain disorder trigeminal neuralgia. Gamma Knife is unique because there is no surgical incision. In a single procedure, the Gamma Knife painlessly treats these conditions by passing a high dose of radiation through your skull and targeting the affected area of your brain. This single beam of radiation focuses precisely on the area that needs treatment. It does not affect the surrounding healthy brain tissue at all. The effect of the treatment occurs gradually, sometimes taking six months or longer. In most cases, the procedure stops the growth of your tumor or AVM, causing the diseased area to shrink or disappear.

Because there is no incision, you will recover quickly. You will be treated as an outpatient and typically can resume your normal activities within a week.

If you have questions about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, please contact the Gamma Knife Center at 877-9GAMMA9 (942-6629).