Gamma Knife Center 

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery at MUSC Health: Why Choose Us? 

When you come to MUSC Health for Gamma Knife radiosurgery, you benefit from: 

• Depth of Experience: Our specialists perform about 300 Gamma Knife radiosurgeries every year, more than double the volume of most hospitals. Our extensive experience results in better outcome for patients. 
• Comprehensive Care: We are the only Gamma Knife center in South Carolina that provides ongoing care after your treatment. Receiving follow-up care from the same specialists who performed your surgery can aid in your recovery. 
• Pioneering Leadership: We have decades of experience in radiosurgical techniques. Our team of doctors, physicists, and engineers helped pioneer the science of radiosurgery more than 20 years ago. Meet our team. 
• Convenience: We know your time is valuable. Our nurse coordinator will work with you to schedule appointments with all of your doctors on the same visit. This nurse also serves as your point-of-contact for questions and concerns. If needed, our guest services staff can assist with travel, lodging and other needs. 

 

Our radiation oncologists and gamma knife surgeons.

MUSC Health’s Gamma Knife Center offers patients the most complete range of noninvasive treatment options available. Along with gamma knife surgery, the center offers other advanced radiosurgery systems, state-of-the-art imaging technologies, and a dedicated team of specialists.

This team of radiation oncologists' and gamma knife surgeons' approach streamlines the process of evaluating each patient’s options, so the most appropriate course of treatment can be developed and initiated without unnecessary delay, confusion or anxiety.

Head and neck cancer care is coordinated with the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, South Carolina’s only NCI designated cancer center and the MUSC Health Radiation Oncology team.

 

What is Gamma Knife radiosurgery?

Despite its name, Gamma Knife radiosurgery does not involve a knife or a surgical incision. The Gamma Knife delivers precise beams of radiation (gamma rays) to tumors and lesions deep within the brain. The rays destroy cells to keep the tumor from growing. Over time, the lesions shrink. 

Benefits of Gamma Knife radiosurgery include: 

• Pinpoint Accuracy: Gamma Knife radiosurgery – considered the gold standard of treatment for brain lesions – delivers radiation beams that match the size and shape of the tumor, greatly minimizing damage to surrounding healthy brain tissue. 
• Depth of Reach: The Gamma Knife’s precise focusing ability enables our doctors to treat previously inoperable, difficult-to-reach lesions deep within the brain or brain stem. 
• Less Invasive: Gamma rays travel through the skull. Because there is no skull incision, you won’t require a hospital stay. You’ll also benefit from a faster recovery, reduced risk of infection, lower likelihood of complications, and a quicker return to everyday activities. 
• Minimal Pain: You will receive a mild sedative to alleviate any discomfort. There is no need for anesthesia. 
• More Options: This minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedure is a good option for people who cannot undergo traditional brain surgery due to advanced age or illness.