Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery
for acoustic neuroma
Overview
Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery is successfully used to manage acoustic neuromas. The primary goal of Gamma Knife radio surgery is to control the tumour volume (size) as opposed to tumour removal. Tumour control with Gamma Knife treatment has been reported to be between 94 % and 97 %.
After Gamma Knife radiosurgery, many acoustic neuromas shrink after three years. There can be tumour swelling in the first three years after treatment. Tumours that do not shrink may remain stable ie there is no further growth.
Only a small percentage (2.9 % – 4.8 %) of acoustic neuromas need further treatment after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
The current medical evidence shows that Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the best practice for single acoustic neuromas that are smaller than 3 cm in diameter.
Many patients prefer Gamma Knife radiosurgery because it is a far safer treatment option.
Internationally proven treatment
Numerous studies from around the world show that complications are significantly reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery compared to traditional micro surgical approaches.
Over the years, the radiation dose used in Gamma Knife treatment has decreased and the accuracy of the technology has improved. This has improved the safety for patients.
New evidence – earlier treatment
New evidence also shows that earlier treatment may protect against hearing loss and have better preservation of facial nerve function.
Complications reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
There are always risks associated with any treatment, but studies have shown that Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery has the lowest risks or complications in the treatment of acoustic neuromas.
Less than 2 % of patients experience complications
- Facial nerve impairment is experienced by less than 2 % (20 out of a thousand) of Gamma Knife-treated patients.
- Trigeminal nerve impairment (mild to severe facial pain) is experienced by only 1.8 % (18 out of a thousand) Gamma Knife-treated patients.
- After Gamma Knife radiosurgery, vertigo and imbalance, another possible side-effect of treatment, affects just 1.5 % (15 out of a thousand) of patients.
- Tinnitus is a presenting symptom (the reason for looking for medical care) for many acoustic neuroma patients. About 20% of patients (1 in 5) may experience an improvement in this original symptom after their Gamma Knife treatment. A very small number (1.7%11or 17 out of a thousand) of patients who were tinnitus free may develop new onset tinnitus after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
- Medical literature shows that hydrocephalus occurs as a complication of Gamma Knife surgery in less than 1 % (0.85 %) of patients. This is usually corrected through surgical drainage.
New data – better results with earlier Gamma Knife treatment
New data also suggests that patients who are being observed with the “watch and wait” approach have better results when they have Gamma Knife treatment earlier.
Gamma Knife treatment is associated with the best preservation of functional hearing when compared to microsurgery.
