Gamma Knife Buckley

South Sound Gamma Knife, located at St. Joseph Medical Center, is a leading provider of Gamma Knife surgery in the South Puget Sound area, including Buckley, WA. As the only facility between Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR, that offers Gamma Knife® treatment, we provide world-class care to patients from all over the country. Our center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts, making it the premier choice for patients seeking non-invasive treatment for various brain conditions.

What is Gamma Knife Surgery?

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a type of radiotherapy that is also known as stereotactic radiosurgery. Despite its name, Gamma Knife surgery does not involve any incisions or the use of a blade. Instead, it uses precise beams of gamma radiation to target and treat tumors or other affected areas within the brain. This non-invasive procedure is an excellent option for patients who may be considered high-risk for traditional surgical methods due to their health conditions or the location of their tumors.

The procedure is typically overseen by a radiologist or neurosurgeon and is known for its extreme accuracy, which helps protect healthy brain tissue while effectively treating the targeted area. Gamma Knife surgery is most often used to treat brain conditions, and it has become a valuable tool in modern medicine for providing hope to patients with conditions that were once considered inoperable.

 Gamma Knife Treatment Precision

One of the most significant advantages of Gamma Knife treatment is its precision. The technology allows for a high dose of intense gamma radiation to be precisely focused on the affected area, which results in minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissue. This precision is achieved through the use of advanced three-dimensional treatment planning, which is an integral part of the Gamma Knife procedure.

At South Sound Gamma Knife, we use the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon™️, the latest and most advanced Gamma Knife technology available. This system utilizes up to 192 converging beams of high-dose cobalt-60-generated photons to target the affected area. Patients are outfitted with a custom-fit headframe or mask that keeps their head in place, ensuring that the radiation is delivered with pinpoint accuracy.

The Leksell Gamma Knife Icon™️’s sophisticated technology makes it possible to treat even the most challenging tumors and lesions located near critical areas of the brain. This capability is particularly important for patients with tumors that are difficult to access or inoperable through traditional surgical methods. The precision of Gamma Knife treatment not only improves the effectiveness of the procedure but also reduces the risk of side effects, making it a safer and more comfortable option for patients.

Gamma Knife Procedure Buckley

Conditions Treated with Gamma Knife Surgery

Gamma Knife surgery is used to treat a variety of disorders and conditions that affect the brain. Its non-invasive nature and high level of precision make it an ideal treatment option for both benign and malignant tumors, as well as other functional disorders. Some of the conditions treated at South Sound Gamma Knife include:

• Acoustic Neuroma: A non-cancerous tumor that develops on the nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain. Gamma Knife surgery can effectively stop the growth of these tumors and preserve hearing.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): Abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain that can cause serious complications. Gamma Knife surgery can generate changes in these blood vessels, reducing the risk of rupture and bleeding.
• Brain Tumors: Both benign and malignant brain tumors can be treated with Gamma Knife surgery. The procedure can destroy or halt the growth of tumors, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
• Essential Tremor: A neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking, usually in the hands. Gamma Knife surgery can target the areas of the brain responsible for these tremors, providing relief to patients.
• Metastatic Tumors: Tumors that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. Gamma Knife surgery can treat these tumors with precision, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
• Pituitary Adenomas: Tumors that develop in the pituitary gland, which can affect hormone production. Gamma Knife surgery can alter the function of these tumors, reducing their impact on the body.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve in the face. Gamma Knife surgery can target this nerve, reducing or eliminating pain sensations.

The Gamma Knife Treatment Process

Gamma Knife treatment at South Sound Gamma Knife in Buckley, WA, is a safe, painless, and effective procedure. Each year, more than 80,000 patients around the world undergo Gamma Knife surgery, benefiting from its non-invasive nature and proven effectiveness.

The treatment process begins with a consultation with our multidisciplinary team, which includes neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, radiation physicists, and nurses. During this consultation, we will assess your condition, review your medical history, and determine whether Gamma Knife surgery is the right treatment option for you.

If Gamma Knife surgery is recommended, the next step is the planning stage. Our team will use advanced imaging technology to create a detailed map of your brain and the targeted area. This map is used to guide the Gamma Knife Icon™️ during the procedure, ensuring that the radiation is delivered with the utmost precision.

On the day of the procedure, you will be fitted with a custom-made headframe or mask, which will keep your head in the correct position during the treatment. The headframe is designed to be comfortable, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of the procedure.

Once you are positioned correctly, the Gamma Knife Icon™️ will deliver the radiation to the targeted area. The procedure itself is painless, and most patients are able to relax or even sleep during the treatment. The entire process typically takes a few hours, after which you will be able to go home the same day.