Gamma Knife is a radiotherapy modality.

A typical Gamma Knife unit contains 201 cobalt-60 sources of approximately 30 curies each, placed in a circular array in a heavily shielded assembly. The unit directs gamma radiation to a target point. Such target points selected in the brain can be placed at the center of the radiation focus, allowing a tumoricidal radiation dosage to be delivered in one treatment session. The Gamma Knife has proved effective for thousands of patients with benign or malignant brain tumors, vascular malformations, pain or other functional problems.

See also

• Radiation therapy