Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

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maximum cost
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Things you need to know

1.What is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ​?
2.Why do you need it?
3.Why cost vary in philippines?
4.Surgery cost range by city
5.Surgery Procedure
6.Recovery
7.Risk and complications
8.FAQ
9.Conclusion

What is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ?

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Why do you need Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is indicated for:

  • Brain tumors:
    • Benign: Meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas).
    • Malignant: Metastatic tumors (e.g., from lung, breast), small gliomas (e.g., as adjuvant therapy).
  • Vascular malformations:
    • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Abnormal blood vessel connections risking hemorrhage.
    • Cavernous malformations: If symptomatic (e.g., seizures, bleeding).
  • Functional disorders:
    • Trigeminal neuralgia: Severe facial pain unresponsive to medications.
    • Essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease: For patients unsuitable for deep brain stimulation (DBS).
  • Epilepsy: Small seizure foci (e.g., hypothalamic hamartomas) in drug-resistant cases.
  • Small lesions: Typically <3–4 cm, inoperable, or located in critical areas (e.g., brainstem) where surgery poses high risk.

The procedure aims to destroy or shrink the target (tumors, AVMs) or modulate neural activity (functional disorders) with minimal impact on surrounding brain tissue.

Why Do Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Costs Vary in Philippines?

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Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Procedure

  • Before Procedure Evaluation:
    • Diagnosis:
      • MRI or CT scan maps the lesion’s location, size, and relation to critical structures (e.g., optic nerve, brainstem).
      • Angiography (for AVMs): Visualizes blood vessel anatomy.
      • Neurological exam: Assesses symptoms (e.g., hearing loss for acoustic neuroma, facial pain for trigeminal neuralgia).
      • Blood tests: Not typically required unless underlying conditions exist.
    • Medications: Steroids (e.g., dexamethasone) may be given pre/post-procedure to reduce swelling (esp. for tumors).
    • Consent: Risks, including radiation-induced swelling, are explained.
  • Procedure:
    • Setup:
      • Performed as an outpatient procedure, lasting 1–4 hours (radiation delivery: 15–60 minutes).
      • A stereotactic head frame is attached to the skull under local anesthesia (mild discomfort from pin sites); ensures precision.
      • MRI/CT is repeated with the frame to plan radiation delivery.
    • Treatment Planning:
      • A multidisciplinary team (neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, physicist) uses software to design a radiation plan, focusing multiple beams (up to 192 in modern Gamma Knife systems) on the target.
      • Radiation dose: 12–25 Gy for tumors/AVMs, 70–90 Gy for trigeminal neuralgia (single fraction).
    • Radiation Delivery:
      • The patient lies on a couch that slides into the Gamma Knife machine (e.g., Gamma Knife Perfexion or Icon).
      • Multiple gamma rays converge on the target, delivering a high dose while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissue.
      • The procedure is silent and painless; patients are awake and can communicate via intercom.
    • Post-Treatment:
      • The head frame is removed; small pin-site marks may bleed slightly.
      • Observation for 1–2 hours; most patients go home the same day.
  • After Procedure:
    • Monitoring: No hospital stay unless complications (e.g., swelling, seizures).
    • Pain management: Analgesics (e.g., paracetamol) for pin-site discomfort or headache.
    • Steroids: Continued for 3–7 days if swelling risk is high (e.g., larger tumors).
    • Follow-up MRI: At 3–6 months to assess treatment response (tumors may take months to shrink; AVMs may obliterate in 1–3 years).

Recovery After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

  1. Immediate Recovery: Same-day discharge; mild headache or pin-site soreness for 1–2 days.
  2. Post-Procedure Care:
    • Pain: Pin-site discomfort or headache, managed with analgesics.
    • Activity: Resume normal activities within 1–2 days; no restrictions unless swelling occurs.
    • Monitoring: For delayed swelling (1–2 weeks post-treatment), especially with larger tumors; steroids help manage this.
    • Neurological symptoms: Temporary worsening (e.g., hearing loss in acoustic neuroma) due to swelling, often resolves in weeks.
  3. Diet: Normal diet; 2–3 liters water daily.
  4. Follow-Up:
    • Visits at 1 month, 3 months, and yearly; MRI/CT at 3–6 months, then annually.
    • AVMs: Angiography at 1–3 years to confirm obliteration.
    • Functional disorders: Symptom relief (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia) may take weeks to months.

Recovery is rapid; most resume normal activities in 1–2 days. Effectiveness: Tumor control (90–95% for benign tumors, 70–80% for metastases); AVM obliteration (70–90% over 1–3 years); trigeminal neuralgia pain relief (80–90% initially, 50–70% long-term).

Risks and Complications

  • Immediate Risks: Pin-site infection (<1%), headache (5–10%).
  • Delayed Complications:
    • Radiation-induced swelling (5–15%): Peaks 1–2 weeks post-treatment, causing temporary symptoms (e.g., headache, nausea); managed with steroids.
    • Radiation necrosis (2–5%): Dead tissue in the target area, may require steroids or surgery (rare).
  • Neurological Complications:
    • Worsening symptoms (5–10%): Temporary (e.g., hearing loss in acoustic neuroma, weakness in AVMs); permanent deficits rare (<2%).
    • Seizures (1–3%): More common with AVMs or epilepsy cases.
  • Long-Term:
    • Tumor recurrence (5–10% for benign tumors, higher for metastases).
    • AVM rebleeding (2–5% annually until obliteration).
    • Secondary malignancy (extremely rare, <0.1%, after 5–10 years).

Report severe headache, nausea, or new neurological symptoms promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What conditions can Gamma Knife treat?

Brain tumors (benign/malignant), AVMs, trigeminal neuralgia, essential tremor, and epilepsy (select cases).

Is Gamma Knife surgery invasive?

No, it’s non-invasive; no cutting, just radiation delivery through the skull.

How soon will I see results?

Tumors/AVMs: Shrinkage/obliteration over months to years (MRI follow-up); trigeminal neuralgia: Pain relief in days to weeks.

How soon can I resume activities?

Within 1–2 days; no major restrictions.

Is Gamma Knife covered by insurance in India?

Yes, for tumors, AVMs, or trigeminal neuralgia; confirm with your provider.

Signs of complications?

Severe headache, nausea, seizures, or new neurological deficits.

Can Gamma Knife be repeated?

Yes, if needed (e.g., incomplete AVM obliteration, tumor regrowth), though rare.

Lifestyle changes post-procedure?

Minimal; avoid heavy radiation exposure, attend follow-ups, and manage symptoms (e.g., steroids for swelling).

Conclusion

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Looking for Best Hospitals for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₱) Maximum Price (₱)
Angeles City
Antipolo
Bacolod
Bacoor
Baguio
Butuan
Cagayan de Oro
Caloocan
Cebu City
Dasmariñas
Davao City
General Santos
General Trias
Iligan
Iloilo City
Las Piñas
Makati
Malolos
Manila
Muntinlupa
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig
Puerto Princesa
Quezon City
San Fernando
San Jose del Monte
Taguig
Valenzuela
Zamboanga City

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

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