gammateraapia

Gammateraapia, also known as gamma radiotherapy, is a type of external beam radiation therapy that uses gamma rays to treat cancer. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to X-rays but with higher energy. This high energy allows gamma rays to penetrate deep into the body and damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.

The primary device used for gammateraapia is a gamma knife, which is a specialized form of stereotactic radiosurgery. Despite its name, a gamma knife does not involve actual scalpels or incisions. Instead, it uses multiple beams of gamma rays, precisely focused on a tumor or other target within the brain. These beams converge at a single point, delivering a high dose of radiation to the target while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision is crucial for treating delicate areas within the brain, such as brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and trigeminal neuralgia. The procedure is typically performed in a single session and is non-invasive, with patients usually able to return home the same day.