The Day Before Your Treatment

A member of Baptist Cancer Institute's Gamma Knife multidisciplinary team will let you know what you need to do regarding any special dietary or medication restrictions. You may be asked to pack a light suitcase in case overnight observation is advised as a precaution.

On The Day of Your Treatment

You'll be asked to come to Baptist Cancer Institute, most likely early in the morning, to prepare for treatment. You're welcome to have your family accompany you, if you'd like.

After changing into a hospital gown, an IV will be started so you can comfortably receive any medication or fluids that you may need. You'll then be fitted with a special device called a stereotactic head frame, which lets us take measurements of your head to plan the dose of your treatment and help guide the treatment itself. The device will be attached to your head with four pins after you've been given a small amount of local anesthetic to help keep you comfortable.

Imaging Tests

Tests will be done with the head frame in place. Depending on your medical condition, you may have an MRI, CT scan or both. If you have an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), you will have an angiogram (a way to visualize blood vessels). These diagnostic tests may take from one to four hours to complete and are used to obtain images that clearly define the tumor.

After Imaging

You'll rest in a private patient room with your family while the Institute's staff prepares your personal treatment plan. This may take one or two hours.

preparation for gamma knife

For the Treatment Itself

You'll be moved to the Gamma Knife treatment room where you'll lie on a cushioned, motorized table. You'll have the stereotactic frame on your head attached to a large steel helmet that has many holes that allow the team to focus the radiation on the precise area of treatment. The table will then slide into the Gamma Knife unit and your procedure will begin. You may choose to listen to the radio or music of your choice.

Highly focused gamma rays will be administered to the targeted spot(s) for anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the number of doses your condition requires. You'll be awake and alert throughout the procedure and will not feel any pain. At all times, you'll be able to talk to your doctors and nurses, who will be observing you on a closed-circuit television.

After Your Treatment

The head frame will be removed and you'll be briefly observed. While there are usually no side effects after the procedure, you should tell your nurse if you have a minor headache or any swelling. We will give you some medication to relieve this and notify your doctor.

Some patients may be required to stay in the hospital overnight, while others may go home the same day. In either case, you should be able to resume your presurgical activities, including your return to work or school, a couple of days after your treatment.

Follow-up Care

Follow-up is an important part of your treatment, and you'll be given specific instructions for this. As with many other kinds of procedures, the effects of Gamma Knife treatment can occur over a period of time. Extended observation, including periodic diagnostic imaging tests, will be required.

For more information on what to expect, see the FAQs.

For additional information and to view a video regarding the Gamma Knife, click on the link below.

International RadioSurgery Association (IRSA)