World Radiotherapy Day And The Role Of Gamma Knife Surgery

World Radiotherapy Day And The Role Of Gamma Knife Surgery

This year, the world celebrated the inaugural World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) on 7 September. This new awareness day is dedicated to highlighting the vital role that radiotherapy plays in treating cancer, relieving symptoms, and improving quality of life.

Its theme, “One Voice for Radiotherapy”, reflected the importance of multidisciplinary teams working together to provide the best care for patients.

At Amethyst Radiotherapy, our expert clinicians have decades of experience of transforming the lives of those with brain tumours and other complex neurological conditions.

At our Centres of Excellence in London and Sheffield, we specialise in Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a precise, non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery. Here’s a look at what’s involved, and who can benefit from it.

What is Gamma Knife radiotherapy?

Despite the name, Gamma Knife treatment involves no incision, and no general anaesthetic. Instead, it delivers hundreds of tiny beams of gamma radiation from an external machine, all focused with pinpoint accuracy on a single target within the brain.

Each individual beam is harmless to the healthy tissue it passes through, but at the point where they converge, they deliver a powerful therapeutic dose.

This precision makes Gamma Knife treatment especially effective for patients with:

• Benign and malignant brain tumours (including acoustic neuromasand meningiomas)
• Vascular malformations, such as arteriovenous malformations
• Functional disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia, a severe facial pain condition

The result is a treatment that can control or shrink abnormal tissue, reduce symptoms, and avoid many of the risks and recovery challenges associated with open neurosurgery.

The patient experience

For the vast majority of patients, the Gamma Knife experience is painless and straightforward. The procedure is carried out in a single session, often lasting just a few hours. Patients remain awake throughout and the downtime is minimal, with most able to return home the same day.

Compared to conventional surgery, the benefits are clear:

• No incision, no stitches, no scarring
• Minimal risk of infection or bleeding
• Rapid recovery time – most patients resume normal activities within 24–48 hours
• Preservation of healthy tissue, due to extreme accuracy

For people who might not be suitable candidates for conventional surgery due to age, health conditions, or the delicate location of their tumour, Gamma Knife radiotherapy can be a life-changing option.

A multidisciplinary approach

The theme of WRAD – “One Voice for Radiotherapy” – could not be more relevant to Gamma Knife treatment. Success depends on a team of multidisciplinary specialists working closely together. Neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and clinical nurse specialists all play critical roles, from imaging and treatment planning to delivery and follow-up care.

This collaborative model ensures that patients receive a highly personalised treatment plan tailored to their condition and overall health needs. It also reflects the broader vision of WRAD: different voices and areas of expertise combining to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

The multidisciplinary approach doesn’t stop after your treatment ends: you will be able to access a variety of healthcare professionals to support your recovery, if needed. For example, if your condition has affected your language or speaking skills, you may be referred to a speech and language therapist.

A physiotherapist helps patients who may have developed problems with muscle coordination and balance, while an occupational therapist can help patients to prepare for a return to work or manage their everyday activities.

This holistic approach helps you to feel more confident and reassured throughout the whole treatment, recovery and rehabilitation process.

Breaking down myths about radiotherapy

Despite decades of progress, some myths still persist about radiotherapy. Many people associate it solely with cancer treatment, or think that it always has harsh side effects such as hair loss, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. Gamma Knife radiosurgery does not fit with these assumptions.

Because of its precision, Gamma Knife treatment typically does not cause hair loss, nor does it expose the whole body to radiation. Side effects, if they occur, are usually mild and temporary, such as localised swelling or tiredness. For patients and their families, this reassurance is invaluable.

The next steps

The establishment of World Radiotherapy Awareness Day marks a significant step in recognising radiotherapy as a cornerstone of modern medicine. For neurological patients, the availability of Gamma Knife technology represents the cutting edge of that progress.

At Amethyst Radiotherapy, we are committed to making Gamma Knife surgery as effective and accessible as possible. If you or a loved one is living with a neurological condition and would like to learn more, our specialist team is here to provide guidance and support.

Centres of Excellence for Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment of complex Brain Tumours