Gamma Knife: Most Effective Brain Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment

The desire to develop a non-invasive treatment option for treating brain tumours was what pushed Swedish neurosurgeon Dr. Lars Leksell and his colleague to build the first Gamma Knife in 1968. The treatment option received positive reviews from the healthcare providers and patients alike, and soon it became sought-after in treating neurological disorders. Since then, over 700,000 patients have been successfully treated using the Gamma Knife, and today, it remains one of the most technologically advanced instruments in use.

The demand for Gamma Knife instruments is growing steadily the world over, and according to a market research report, the global Gamma Knife market will be worth US$ 411 Mn by 2025. The advantages of Gamma Knife over other invasive treatment have led to increased adoption by clinics and healthcare professionals. Let’s take a brief look at the advantages of Gamma Knife treatment.

Gamma Knife is used to treat metastatic tumours, benign tumours, acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, vascular malformations, and trigeminal neuralgia.

Safe Treatment Option

Gamma Knife treatment has been developed after four decades of clinical research, and as discussed previously, over 700,000 patients have treated effectively through this treatment. Treatment through Gamma Knife does not require any surgery or incision, and a number of patients have benefitted due to this. Gamma Knife treatment is carried out in a single session, and most patients are able to resume their normal routine within a day or two. Owing to these factors, the demand for Gamma Knife instruments is growing steadily around the globe.

Fewer Side Effects

Anaesthesia can cause a range of side effects among patients, especially among the elderly. However, as Gamma Knife treatment does not involve any incision, there is no requirement for administering anaesthesia. Also, the Gamma Knife instrument precisely targets the tumorous cells, with impacting the critical nerve cells. The dose of cobalt-60 photon radiation that each patient receives is customised according to the findings of the MRIs and other tests.

Although Gamma Knife treatment has fewer complications that surgical procedures, there are a few side-effects that have been reported by patients. Swelling in the brain or where the device has been attached can cause headache, nausea, and vomiting. Also, the patient may experience itchiness or hair loss after the treatment.

Gamma Knife versus Cyber Knife

Although Cyber Knife has been hailed as an effective radiosurgical procedure, it lacks the targeted focus that is a hallmark of Gamma Knife market. For procedures that demand a high level of accuracy, Gamma Knife still remains the best treatment option for the patient.

One of the key differences between Cyber Knife and Gamma Knife treatment is the use of a robotic arm in the former. This is done to compensate for the movement of the patient during the procedure. Owing to this, the level of accuracy desired for complicated treatment procedures is not available to the healthcare professionals. In contrast, Gamma Knife treatment immobilizes the patient in a lightweight head frame, diminishing the need for a robotic arm. Owing to this, a high level of accuracy is achieved through this procedure.

As discussed previously, the treatment through Gamma Knife takes just one sitting; on the other hand, Cyber Knife requires a series of multiple treatments, which can last through a period of time. Furthermore, Gamma Knife provides exact MR and CT correlation, which is inherently less accurate in case of Cyber Knife.

Browse Full: "Gamma Knife Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2025" Market Research Report at http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/details/gamma-knife-market