Brain metastases
Cancer that has spread to the brain from another part of the body.
Gamma Knife Unit at Jordan University Hospital
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For Patients
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) is a type of external radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely deliver radiation to a tumor. The total dose is divided into several smaller doses given over several days. What differentiates it from conventional radiotherapy is the precision with which it is delivered — the result is the delivery of high doses of radiation with high accuracy.
80,000+
patients treated every year
40+
years leading radiosurgery
6th
generation platform
A number of neurological disorders
Icon can be used to treat a wide range of intracranial conditions with pinpoint accuracy.
Recurrent gliomas
Tumors arising from the gluey supportive tissue of the brain and spinal cord.
Benign tumors (meningiomas)
Which begin in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Acoustic neuromas
Non-cancerous growths on the hearing and balance nerves near the inner ear.
Pituitary tumors
Post-surgical treatment of tumors of the pituitary gland.
Vascular malformations
Such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Functional disorders
Such as trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic condition causing severe facial pain.
Medication-refractory tremor
Tremor that no longer responds adequately to medication.
How your treatment works
Depending on your treatment plan, one of two positioning methods keeps your head perfectly still.
01
Stereotactic Frame
For pinpoint accuracy, a lightweight head frame keeps your head from moving.
- 1On arrival you are given a mild sedative to help you relax.
- 2Your physician places the stereotactic head frame on your head for pinpoint accuracy and to keep your head from moving during imaging and treatment.
- 3After a local anesthetic numbs four areas, the frame is secured to your head with four pins.
- 4For imaging, a coordinate box is placed on the frame to provide reference points for treatment planning, then removed after imaging.
02
Stereotactic Mask
A custom, breathable face mask holds your head still — completely frameless.
- 1Before your treatment day, you visit the clinic to have a custom face mask made.
- 2After check-in, you are escorted into the treatment suite and lie down on the treatment couch.
- 3The breathable material becomes flexible when heated and is shaped to your facial contours, with an opening around your nose.
- 4After a few minutes the formed mask sets and is removed.
- 5Once fully set, the mask securely holds your head still and fits snugly during your Icon treatment.
- 6A cushion is also custom-shaped to support your head during treatment.
Possible side effects
Treatment is so precise that minimal damage occurs to healthy tissue — so there may be fewer side effects than with other radiation therapy. Potential effects may include:
Tenderness where the frame was secured (frame treatments only)
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Headaches
Hair loss in the treatment area
Instructions & information
No head shaving
As there is no surgical incision, Gamma Knife treatment does not require your head to be shaved.
Invisible & painless
The radiation is invisible and does not hurt. With a relaxing couch and music, many patients drift asleep and wake up wondering when treatment will begin.
Built-in safety
Your frame or mask keeps you still. If you move beyond the strict parameters, the system instantly blocks the radiation.
Always connected
You are alone in the treatment room, but you and your clinical team can communicate at any time by intercom or hand signal.
Not radioactive
The treatment does not make you radioactive. The radiation does not remain in your body.
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