Radiosurgery

Radiosurgery is a medical procedure that uses radiation to treat small, well-defined areas of the body. It is often used to treat tumors and other abnormalities in the brain. Despite its name, radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure and does not involve any surgical incisions.

History

The concept of radiosurgery was first proposed by Swedish neurosurgeon Lars Leksell in 1951. The first radiosurgery procedure was performed in 1967 using the Gamma Knife, a device invented by Leksell specifically for this purpose.

Procedure

Radiosurgery works by directing highly focused beams of radiation at the target area. The radiation damages the DNA of the cells in the target area, causing them to die or stop growing. Because the radiation is so precisely targeted, it minimally affects the surrounding healthy tissue.

Types

There are several types of radiosurgery, including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), and proton therapy. The type of radiosurgery used depends on the size, location, and type of the abnormality being treated.

Uses

Radiosurgery is used to treat a variety of conditions, including brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumors, and trigeminal neuralgia. It can also be used to treat certain types of cancer, including lung cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer.

Risks

While radiosurgery is generally safe, it does carry some risks. These can include hair loss, nausea, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, it can also cause more serious complications, such as stroke or brain damage.

See also

• Radiation therapy
• Neurosurgery
• Oncology

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  Intraoperative photograph showing a radiosurgery system
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  Acoustic schwannoma gamma knife
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  Dr. B. K. Misra performing Stereotactic Gamma Radiosurgery
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  Gamma Knife Graphic