Gamma Knife, a noninvasive brain tumor treatment, offered at AGH

Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute now offers patients a noninvasive alternative to traditional brain surgery to remove tumors.

Gamma Knife, a type of radiation therapy where hundreds of precisely focused radiation beams are used to treat tumors and other abnormalities in the brain, is now available at Allegheny General Hospital.

The level of precision of the treatment allows doctors to target tumors effectively with minimal radiation exposure to healthy tissues. Its design also makes it easier for doctors to reach more complex tumors and re-treat patients with recurrent tumors.

Treatment with Gamma Knife can be used when tumors are too difficult to reach with traditional surgery, when a person is not healthy enough to undergo surgery or when the patient prefers a less invasive treatment.

“We are very excited to add the Gamma Knife Icon to our arsenal in the fight against cancer, and expect many patients will benefit from its precise, non-surgical approach,” said Dr. David Parda, chair of the AHN Cancer Institute.

AHN officials said the treatment is typically completed in one to two hours in one day. Patients can return to regular activities within two days and usually don’t need physical therapy or rehabilitation.