Although the name may invoke images of knives and scalpels, Gamma Knife treatment doesn’t require surgery, so there’s no cutting and only local anesthesia involved.

Considered by many to be the gold standard of stereotactic radiosurgery treatment for deep-seated brain tumors, brain metastases and some functional and neurological disorders, Gamma Knife is an advanced radiosurgery system that delivers high-dose gamma radiation beams with pinpoint accuracy to targeted locations in the brain. Because of the extreme precision and accuracy of Gamma Knife treatment, damage to normal tissue surrounding a tumor or other target is minimized.

“Our first year has been successful, and we’re continuing to look at new ways to grow the Gamma Knife program and increase awareness for this advanced treatment within our community,” says Sang Sim, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical co-director of the center.

For patients with inoperable or surgically complex brain tumors, or those seeking an alternative to conventional surgery or radiation therapy, Gamma Knife can be an important treatment option.

Gamma Knife treatment is complete in a single outpatient procedure and involves no surgical incisions, no blood loss and virtually no pain. Patients are typically allowed to go home following the procedure to resume normal activities. Globally, more than half a million people have been treated with the Gamma Knife radiosurgery system.

In addition to treating malignant and benign brain tumors and brain metastases, Gamma Knife provides effective treatment of functional brain disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating nerve disorder that causes excruciating, electroshock-like pain throughout the face. Gamma Knife also treats essential tremor, a neurological disorder typically characterized by uncontrollable shaking in different parts of the body including the hands, arms, head and tongue.

Other benign conditions treated by Gamma Knife include acoustic neuromas, slow-growing benign tumors that can adversely affect hearing and balance, and blood vessel malformations commonly known as arteriovenous malformations, abnormal clusters of blood vessels that develop in the brain and cause neurological problems in some cases.

“The addition of Gamma Knife technology to our portfolio of treatments for brain tumors and brain disorders offers patients in our area a highly advanced and individualized approach to treatment,” said Ty Olson, M.D., neurosurgeon and medical co-director of the center. “Our multidisciplinary team of clinical experts develops customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific condition.”

The Gamma Knife clinical team includes physicians and other experts with backgrounds in neurosurgery, radiation oncology and stereotactic radiosurgery. Team members include Dr. Ty Olson, neurosurgeon and medical co-director; Dr. Sang Sim, radiation oncologist and medical co-director; Mitchell Weiss, M.D., chairman of radiation oncology; neurosurgeons Jonathan Lustgarten, M.D., David Estin, M.D. and Timothy Link, M.D.; Jack Yang, Ph.D., chief physicist; and Becky Kopke, RN, BSN, OCN, nurse coordinator.

As the Gamma Knife program moves into its second year, a focus on clinical research will be a priority. The center recently received approval to initiate a clinical trial to study Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent high-grade gliomas in conjunction with the medication Bevacizumab (Avastin).

Patients are currently being enrolled in this study. For more information about the clinical trial including eligibility requirements, contact Dr. Sim at (732) 923-6890.

The Gamma Knife Center is located on the ground floor of the Institute for Radiation Oncology on Monmouth Medical Center’s campus at 300 Second Ave. in Long Branch, N.J. The center offers the only Gamma Knife technology in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Contact the Gamma Knife Center at (732) 923-6562 or submit a request for more information here.

The trial is titled “Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Recurrent High Grade Glioma in Conjunction with Bevacizumab” and more information regarding eligibility can be found by downloading the clinical trial flyer for patients.

If interested in participating in this study or to speak with the research staff, call (732) 923-6890.

The Central Brain Tumor Registry estimates 66,290 new cases of primary non–malignant and malignant brain and central nervous system tumors will be diagnosed in the United States in 2012. In addition, an estimated 150,000 people will develop metastatic tumors in the brain as a result of cancer cells that have spread to the brain from another part of the body.

There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors, and while not all are necessarily fatal, any brain tumor should be considered a serious health condition. Brain tumors often create increased pressure in the skull, known as intracranial hypertension. This can lead to, among other conditions, headaches, vomiting, vision problems and altered states of consciousness.

 “When researching treatment options, it’s important to know the right questions to ask,” explains Dr. Ty Olson, neurosurgeon and medical co-director of the Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center. “Patients should explore all treatment options and voice their concerns before deciding on which treatment is best for them.”

Brain tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these therapies. For some patients, stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive method of treating brain tumors with high-dose, precisely targeted radiation, is also an option.

Gamma Knife is an advanced radiosurgery system that treats cancerous and benign tumors in the brain by delivering targeted radiation beams directly to a tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Although the name may invoke images of knives and scalpels, Gamma Knife treatment doesn’t require surgery, so there’s no cutting and only local anesthesia involved.

For patients with inoperable or surgically complex brain tumors, or those who seek an alternative to conventional surgery or radiation therapy, Gamma Knife can be an important treatment option. Globally, more than half a million people have been treated with Gamma Knife technology.

“Gamma Knife is considered to be the ‘gold standard’ of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors and lesions,” said Dr. Sang Sim, radiation oncologist and medical co-director of the Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center. “While it may not be the appropriate treatment option for all patients, Gamma Knife can provide significant benefits and hope to many brain tumor patients.”

The Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center treats malignant and benign brain tumors and brain metastases, as well as certain functional disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, blood vessel malformations and tremors.

National Patient Safety Awareness Week, an annual campaign led by the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF), is celebrated March 4 – 10. This year’s theme, “Be Aware for Safe Care,” spotlights the need for collaboration among health care providers, patient advocates and other community organizations to help educate patients on how they can become more engaged in the delivery of their care.

Cancer care is one area in which patients have increasingly become more aware of the need to be engaged in the treatment decision and process. With so many different treatment options for various types of cancers and the associated benefits, risks and side effects of each, patient and family engagement is crucial in ensuring an informed treatment decision is made and delivery of safe care is provided.

At Monmouth Gamma Knife Center, medical physicists play a primary role in ensuring patient safety throughout the treatment process. Gamma Knife is an advanced technology that treats malignant and benign brain tumors, as well as certain functional disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, with a procedure called stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive method of treating brain tumors with precisely targeted, high-dose radiation.

The complex and unique combination of Gamma Knife’s components calls for routine tests to maintain quality assurance and ensure safe delivery of radiation treatment. Medical physicists on Gamma Knife treatment teams are extensively trained in quality assurance testing.

“Patient engagement and safety is a top priority for us,” said Dr. Sang Sim, medical co-director at The Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center. “Our team works closely with each patient to ensure they fully understand the Gamma Knife treatment process, which is part of providing not only high quality care, but also peace of mind.”

Throughout treatment, the physics staff at the Gamma Knife Center works closely with other members of the treatment team to support imaging, treatment planning, and quality assurance testing of the technology and its components.

“Our quality assurance program ensures the Gamma Knife is delivering radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy,” said physicist Jack Yang. “We utilize a highly specialized set of testing procedures that are performed at daily, weekly, monthly and annual intervals.”

Gamma Knife provides a safe, noninvasive treatment alternative to surgery and conventional radiation therapy. Treatment is complete in a single treatment session, and patients are typically allowed to go home following the procedure to resume normal activities.

The Gamma Knife Center at Monmouth Medical Center is located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch, N.J. Call (732) 923-6562 or visit www.monmouthgammaknife.com to determine if you or a loved one may be a Gamma Knife candidate. Most insurance plans and Medicare are accepted.

For more information about National Patient Safety Awareness Week, visit www.npsf.org.