Know what to expect when having gamma knife radiosurgery with a plastic mask.
In this video you will learn about gamma knife radiosurgery.
This includes ,what Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is,what happens the day of your treatment,
what happens after treatment.
What is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery?
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a type of radiation treatment that is used to treat brain metastases.
Gamma knife therapy is like getting an x-ray.
It is a painless treatment there is no cutting or burning.This treatment uses high energy
x-rays to destroy cancer cells.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery only targets the tumour.
This reduces the risk of causing damage to healthy brain tissue.
Some Gamma Knife Radiotherapy treatments use a frame and others use a plastic mask.
Your doctor will tell you if you will have a frame or frameless treatment.
This video is for patients having treatment with the mask.
What happens the day of your treatment?
There are a few things to remember the day of your treatment.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Do not wear any make up or earrings, this may affect the fit of the frame or mask.
A family member or friend should bring you to the hospital, they must drive you home after your treatment.
This is because you may need medicines during your treatment that could make you drowsy.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery steps.
Your treatment will have four main parts.
One, preparing the treatment mask.
Two planning MRI and CT scans.
Three, treatment planning and four treatment.
Preparing the treatment mask.
A custom, plastic mask will be made that fits over your head.
This mask will hold your head in place during your treatment.
The mask may be made before or after your planning MRI or CT scans.
Planning MRI and CT Scans.
As part of the treatment planning process, you will have CT and MRI scans, even if you
have had these scans done before.
These scans take pictures of your brain and skull.
Your doctor needs these pictures to help with the final planning of your treatment.
Treatment planning.
Your Radiation Oncologist and the Physics team will use the pictures from your MRI and
CT scan to plan your treatment.
Your healthcare team will decide, which area of your brain to treat and how much radiation
to give you.
Treatment.
Your treatment will take place once a day for three days.
Your treatment may take one to three hours to complete each day.
This depends on the size of your tumour (or tumours), the area of your brain to be treated
and the number of tumours you have.
Your therapist will tell you how long your treatment will take.
In the room, you will lie flat on your back on the treatment table.
The mask will be attached to the Gamma Knife machine.
The table will move to place you in the correct position.
Gamma Knife radiotherapy is like getting an x-ray.
It is a painless treatment.
There is no cutting or burning.
You may feel some discomfort from lying down for a long period of time.
Your Radiation Therapists will watch you on camera at all times during your treatment.
They will also listen to you through a microphone in the treatment room.
During your treatment, you may listen to music, relax, or even sleep.
Once your treatment is complete, the mask will be removed and you may go home.
What happens after treatment.
The Brain Mets clinic is made up of different health care professionals who work together
as a team.
This includes, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, nurses and trainees such as fellows or residents.
You may speak with different health care professionals each time you visit the clinic.
Each of the health care professionals will know about your medical history.
You’ll be able to return to your normal routines after treatment.
You’ll have a follow up appointment with your doctor and another MRI scan about three
months after your treatment.
You may have side effects after treatment.
These may occur after weeks or months.
If you have any side effects you think may be related to your treatment talk to your
health care team.
In this video you learned about gamma knife radiosurgery.
This included ,what Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is ,what happens the day of your treatment,
what happens after treatment.