Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
| Overview | Procedures | Leading
Edge Radiosurgery | Results
Indications and Results
Shown below are the Indications and Results of Dr. Christopher Duma's Personal
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Series -
All types of brain tumors may be treated using this technique because it
does not rely on variable tissue sensitivity to radiation. All cells within
a radiosurgical treatment volume receive a toxic dose of radiation creating
cell kill. The DNA is destroyed and so are critical proteins responsible
for cell division. However, because the amount of radiation delivered has
to be decreased as target size increases, neurosurgeons are limited to treating
tumors less than 3 or 4 cm. in average diameter.
Listed below are Dr. Duma's personal results using Gamma Knife radiosurgery
for various pathologies:
Meningiomas:
- 94%
tumor control rate
- 10% edema risk 2% will require surgical removal
of tumor for treatment of edema
- 2% risk of permanent injury
Torcular meningioma, prior to, and 14 months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery
only
Acoustic Neuromas:
- 98% tumor control rate
- <1% facial neuropathy
risk (near-zero risk in tumors less than 1 cm in diameter)
- 60%
hearing preservation rate.
Acoustic neuroma before, 3 months, and 9 months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery
only
Brain Metastases: (regardless of tissue type)
- 90% tumor control rate
- 6% edema risk
- 2% permanent deficit risk
- 1/50 will require surgical
removal despite GK treatment.
- More than one tumor may be treated
in one session.
Renal cell carcinoma brain metastasis before and 1 year after Gamma
Knife radiosurgery only
Glioblastoma Multiforme: (Astrocytoma Grade 4) and Anaplastic
Astrocytomas (Grade 3)
- 93% response
rate with median tumor progression free interval of 12 months
- Improvement
in overall survival. Synergistic when combined with
immunotherapy. Some patients are now more than 8 years from their
initial diagnosis treated with this powerful regimen. Patients and
their family members of survivors of this disease using this regimen
may be contacted.
Glioblastoma Multiforme (Grade 4 astrocytoma)
Before and 3 1/2 years post immunotherapy. Biopsies of the residual
mass on the right showed only dead, necrotic tissue.
Primary Low Grade Gliomas of the Brain:
- 95%
response rate.
- 10-year follow-ups in most patients treated show
no evidence of residual tumor.
Craniopharyngiomas, Pituitary Adenomas, Ependymomas, Medulloblastomas, Pineal
tumors and other types:
- From 80-98% tumor control rates.
Arteriovenous Malformations: (AVMs):
- 80%
complete obliteration by 2 years
- 6% complication rate
- 3% permanent complication
rate, (stroke, or sustained neurologic deficit).
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) before, and 2 years after Gamma
Knife radiosurgery
Tremor of Parkinson's Disease (Gamma Knife thalamotomy)
- 80%
Good to excellent relief of tremor occurring within 3 months of
treatment
Trigeminal Neuralgia: (Tic Doulereux)
- 85% Good to excellent relief of pain
- 55% are
pain-free off all medication. The rest are pain free with lowered
dosages of medications.
- The effect of treatment takes an average
of 4 weeks to occur post Gamma Knife.
- 8% risk of sensory loss
on the face.
- Near zero risk of anesthesia dolorosa.
The patient's trigeminal nerve accurately targeted for a Gamma Knife
radiosurgery treatment
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery | Overview | Procedures | Leading
Edge Radiosurgery | Results
For consultation appointments with Dr. Duma or
for more information regarding his brain tumor, GammaKnife radiosurgery,
and Parkinson's Disease programs at Hoag Memorial Presbyterian
Hospital in Newport Beach, California (Orange County), please contact:
949-764-5528 or Toll Free: 866-446-2445
Or E-mail Dr. Duma directly: drduma@cduma.com
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