Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
If you need treatment for a brain disorder, such as a brain tumor or blood vessel abnormality, an innovative type of radiation therapy called Gamma Knife radiosurgery may be an option for you. This gold-standard treatment can safely and effectively treat complex neurological conditions without an incision (cut), sometimes in a single treatment session.
Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center is the only facility in the Charlotte region that offers Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Our state-of-the-art center was specially designed to deliver the most advanced clinical care in a comfortable, supportive environment. And as established leaders in radiation therapy and neurosurgery, our team is here to guide you through treatment that’s expertly tailored for your best quality of life.
What is Gamma Knife radiosurgery?
Gamma Knife is an advanced type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery. The procedure doesn’t involve a surgical incision. Instead, it uses highly focused beams of radiation to treat tumors and other conditions in the brain and skull region.
Some of the benefits of Gamma Knife radiosurgery include:
- Precision: Special equipment allows doctors to treat diseased brain tissue with carefully targeted radiation that minimizes harm to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Safety: Since it’s a non-invasive procedure, the risk of infection and other complications is low. Treatment also automatically stops if you move even the tiniest amount, which helps prevent exposure to radiation outside of your targeted treatment plan.
- Recovery time: Radiosurgery is often done as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. Most patients experience very little discomfort and can quickly get back to regular activities.
- Cost: Gamma Knife radiosurgery doesn’t require a lengthy hospital stay or rehabilitation, which helps keep costs down compared to traditional surgery alone.
Why choose Levine Cancer for Gamma Knife radiosurgery?
- World-class care, close to home: As the only Gamma Knife center in the Charlotte area, and one of only 5 across the Carolinas, our facility is a destination for this advanced treatment. And when you come to us for care, you benefit from the expertise and experience of both Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute.
- State-of-the-art technology: We use the most advanced technology on the market to perform stereotactic radiosurgery. Compared to earlier equipment, the device we use can treat even more tumors in hard-to-reach areas and provides a significantly more comfortable treatment for most patients.
- Expert team: Your dedicated care team may include highly trained neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, nurses and other specialists who work together to personalize your care for the best outcome.
- Personal care navigation: Our dedicated Gamma Knife coordinator will guide you through the entire process, from answering questions and coordinating appointments to connecting to you to helpful resources. If needed, our Global Healthcare Services team can also assist with travel, lodging and more.
- Patient-centered approach: Everything we do is focused on your well-being. Our Gamma Knife facility has extra features built in for your comfort, and we offer a range of support services to promote healing and wellness throughout your treatment journey.
Conditions we treat with Gamma Knife
Gamma Knife radiosurgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions in the brain, including tumors, facial pain and vascular disorders. Depending on your health, it may be the only treatment you need, or it may be used in combination with other therapies.
Some of the conditions we treat with Gamma Knife surgery include:
- Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannomas)
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain from another area)
- Brain tumors (cancerous and noncancerous)
- Chondrosarcoma
- Chordoma
- Craniopharyngioma
- Glomus tumors
- Meningiomas
- Pineal tumors (pinealomas)
- Pituitary tumors, like pituitary adenomas
- Trigeminal neuralgia (facial pain)
What to expect from Gamma Knife radiosurgery
If your doctor recommends Gamma Knife treatment, we’ll make sure you know what to expect at every step.
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Before treatment
Using imaging and a special computer program, we’ll create your custom treatment plan. You’ll also have a custom face mask made for your procedure. Your care team will tell you how to get ready for treatment day.
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During treatment
We’ll help you get in position on the treatment table with your mask on. Then, your personalized treatment plan will begin. You shouldn’t feel any pain during Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
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After treatment
You can go home the same day as the Gamma Knife procedure and return to normal activities shortly after. We’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to check your progress.
Learn more about the treatment process in our Gamma Knife radiosurgery patient guide.
Request more information
Whether you have questions about Gamma Knife surgery or want to schedule a consultation, we’re here to provide the information you need. Fill out the form below and our Gamma Knife coordinator will contact you.
We understand that your privacy is important. Our privacy policy describes our practices.
For referring providers
When you refer a patient to us for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, our experts work with you and your patient to provide the highest level of care. We keep you informed and involved throughout treatment and transition your patient back to your care when treatment is complete.
For questions about referrals, please reach out to our Gamma Knife coordinator at GammaKnife@AtriumHealth.org.
Meet the team
Below, meet some of the health care providers on our Gamma Knife treatment team. Learn more about what they do in our Gamma Knife patient guide. To request more information about scheduling a consultation with our providers, please complete this form.
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Stuart Burri, MD
Radiation oncologist
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Roshan Prabhu, MD
Radiation oncologist
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Anthony L. Asher, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon
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Scott Wait, MD
Neurosurgeon
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David Piantino, MS
Medical physicist
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Stacey Scott, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Gamma Knife coordinator
Our location
We perform Gamma Knife radiosurgery in Charlotte, NC, at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center. If you’re traveling to Charlotte from outside of the Carolinas, you may qualify for assistance from Global Healthcare Services. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is also available in Winston-Salem, NC, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center
1310 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204
Frequently asked questions
We use Gamma Knife radiosurgery to treat a range of brain disorders. If you have one of these conditions, a Gamma Knife specialist can determine if it’s a good option for you.
No. Your first visit will be a consultation to decide if Gamma Knife treatment is right for you. If you and your care team decide to move forward with treatment, you’ll have additional appointments for imaging and to make the mask you will need to wear during treatment.
You can learn more about the full treatment process in our patient guide.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a painless procedure. You won’t be able to feel the radiation at all.
Some patients may experience minor discomfort from laying still on the treatment table. The placement of the treatment mask should not cause any pain. There are holes in the mask that allow you to breathe freely, and your nose won’t be covered at all.
Your care team will explain how to signal them if you’re distressed or need a break during treatment. The procedure can be stopped at any time and resumed when you’re ready to continue.
Gamma Knife treatment is generally a painless, low-risk procedure. Not all patients will experience side effects after Gamma Knife treatment. When side effects occur, they are usually temporary.
Some possible side effects include:
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in ability to taste or smell
- Fatigue (feeling very tired)
- Hair loss at the treatment site
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling
- Skin irritation
If you experience side effects after Gamma Knife treatment, let your care team know. They may be able to help. You can also find out more about possible side effects in our patient guide.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery typically takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. The exact amount of time depends on your individual health needs. Your care team will tell you what to expect from your personalized treatment plan.
Typically, patients receive 1 to 5 treatments. Your doctor will customize your treatment plan and review it with you.
Yes. When you choose Atrium Health for Gamma Knife surgery, our team will be here to support you at every step.
We offer a menu of integrative oncology services that can enhance your treatment experience, such as music therapy, art therapy and healing touch. You can find out more about these services in our patient guide.
Our dedicated Gamma Knife coordinator can also connect you to other resources for your needs, including comprehensive supportive oncology services or assistance with travel from Atrium Health’s Global Healthcare Services.
Yes. If needed, our Gamma Knife coordinator can connect you with Atrium Health’s Global Healthcare Services. team. You qualify as a global patient if your permanent residence is outside of NC or SC. Global Healthcare Services can help with things like making travel arrangements, finding and booking local accommodations, and coordinating services, attractions and activities in the Charlotte area.
You can also find out more about support for traveling patients in our online patient guide.
It’s best to contact your health insurance provider directly to find out if Gamma Knife radiosurgery is covered. Most major health insurance providers do cover Gamma Knife radiosurgery for eligible patients. If your doctor recommends Gamma Knife treatment, our team will seek approval from your insurance provider before we proceed with your treatment.
If you want to schedule a consultation for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, there are a couple of ways to get started. You can request more information from our Gamma Knife coordinator by completing this form. Or, you can ask your doctor to send a referral to our program. Information for referring providers can be found here.
To learn more about Gamma Knife radiosurgery, visit our online patient guide or contact our Gamma Knife Coordinator.