Benefits of Gamma Ray Radiation as an Alternative to Brain Neurosurgery

In addition to brain surgery with neurosurgical methods in general, there are now other alternatives, namely using gamma ray radiation (gamma ray). Operations with gamma ray radiation are considered safer. Gamma ray radiation is almost painless and has few complications. Gamma ray radiation used in operations is also known as a gamma knife. However, do not imagine like a knife in general. This tool uses gamma ray radiation to treat tumors or other conditions such as abnormalities of blood vessels in the brain.

Conditions That Can Utilize Gamma Ray Radiation

Gamma ray radiation is often used to treat brain tumors. Gamma ray radiation is useful in the management of brain tumors that are both non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant). Including as a treatment for the spread (metastasis) of cancer cells from other body parts to the brain. Gamma ray radiation can damage genetic material or DNA from tumor cells, so it can eradicate tumor cells and make tumors gradually shrink. As for some other conditions that require gamma ray radiation operations, including:

• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

AVM is a condition in which there are disorders of blood vessels in your brain. In AVM, blood flows from arteries to veins (veins) without passing through capillaries. AVM can disrupt normal blood flow and cause bleeding.

• Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a disorder of one or both trigeminal nerves, which conveys sensory information between the brain and the area of ​​your forehead, cheeks and lower jaw. This nerve disorder causes facial pain that feels like an electric shock.

• Acoustic neuroma

Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a non-cancerous tumor (benign) that affects the balance and hearing nerves that originate from the inner ear to the brain. If the tumor puts pressure on the nerve, then a person can experience hearing loss, dizziness, loss of balance and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

In addition, gamma ray radiation surgery can also treat pituitary gland (pituitary) tumors located in the base of the brain, which can cause various problems. The pituitary gland controls the hormones in your body that control various functions, such as stress response, metabolism and sexual function.

Benefits of Gamma Ray Radiation

The most common advantage of surgery with gamma ray radiation is that it does not require an incision, because it only uses radiation therapy. There is no need for incisions and general anesthesia or anesthesia, so the risks associated with both can be avoided. Although surgery with gamma ray radiation still has some risks. Operations with gamma ray radiation also have other advantages, such as:

• Very accurate

The gamma ray radiation device directly targets the location of the disturbance, so that the surrounding area is not exposed to much radiation. Determination of this location is assisted by the use of CT-scan / MRI. This can reduce the risk of side effects and damage to nerves and blood vessels around the brain area.

• Only need to be done once

Usually surgery using gamma ray radiation only needs to be done once, which is around 10-70 minutes.

• High success rate

Some cases of brain cancer that are treated using gamma ray radiation have been proven successful and can increase patient life expectancy.

In most cases, you can go home the same day after being declared safe from postoperative observation using gamma ray radiation. However, still follow the doctor's instructions on how to treat yourself after undergoing this procedure.