WHAT IS RADIOSURGERY?
Radiosurgery is a medical procedure which allows the non-invasive treatment of brain tumors, also known stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Radiosurgery is beneficial in the treatment of brain cancers, in movement disorder surgery, and in non-cancerous conditions, such as:
- Functional disorders
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Meningiomas
- Cavernous malformations
- Parkinson's Disease
Recognizing early that technology plays a critical role in brain-related treatments, Dr. Christopher Duma has made a constant effort over the years to make these new brain procedures widely available in Irvine, Newport Beach, Los Angeles and most of California.
HOW DOES RADIOSURGERY OPERATE?
Highly, highly focused beams of ionizing radiation (in a controlled dosage) are directed to areas of the brain, with high precision. Radiosurgery allows access to tumors (intracranial and extracranial), as well as other lesions of the brain, that are otherwise inaccessible during open surgery. Dr. Duma, based in Newport Beach, is a brain specialist in one of the most recent innovations in radiosurgery, CyberKnife radiosurgery, which provides the ability to sense and adjust to the position of the patient. The latest radiosurgery technology available, including CyberKnife and Gamma Knife radiosurgery extends treatment possibilities to new limits.
CYBERKNIFE RADIOSURGERY
The CyberKnife system is a radiosurgery device with a linear accelerator (LINAC), which produces the radiation, that is mounted on a robotic arm, capable of sub-millimeter accuracy. Image guidance cameras are used to locate the position of the tumor. Patients from Orange County and most of California can benefit from the use of CyberKnife radiosurgery in multiple ways:
- Ability to perform staged treatment, with radiation doses divided into multiple smaller doses, instead of a single larger one
- Enhanced ability to avoid critical structures
- Potential to target multiple tumors at different locations during a single treatment session
- Painless and better quality of life during and after treatment. Since there is no incision, in the great majority of cases there is no need for anesthesia either.
CyberKnife radiosurgery can also be an efficient alternative for patients with Parkinson’s Disease, who have not respond well to medication or for patients in need of cranioplasty, for example.
TOMOTHERAPY RADIOSURGERY
Tomotherapy is a new way to deliver radiation for the treatment of cancer. Tomotherapy uses intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which is a sophisticated form of radiation. The treatment consists of a well-designed system that incorporates treatment planning, patient positioning, and treatment delivery. 3D imaging (CT for example), along with special software is used in order to establish the precise contours of target area(s), as well as that of the risk areas. One of the greatest advantages of tomotherapy radiosurgery is the ability of administering highly accurate treatment with minimal side effects. The level of radiation the tumor receives, and the acceptable radiation level for the surrounding structures is case dependant and is established by the physician for each individual case.
For further information on Gamma Knife surgery, CyberKnife surgery or tomotherapy, please register on our website or call us.
