How does the Gamma Knife help manage multiple brain tumors?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is 72 years old and has lung cancer that has spread to the brain, with four small lesions seen on MRI. The oncologist has suggested Gamma Knife radiosurgery instead of whole-brain radiation therapy.

His symptoms include mild dizziness and headaches, with no seizures so far. Steroids have reduced the swelling, but his blood sugar has increased to 240.

How does Gamma Knife radiation help a 72-year-old patient with multiple brain tumors?
Does it actually control the tumors or just slow them?
Will the Gamma Knife affect memory or thinking in the long term?
Is it safer than conventional whole-brain radiation therapy for elderly patients with multiple metastases?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

However, the condition described still has effective treatment options available. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a highly focused form of radiation therapy that targets only the visible tumors in the brain. In cases like your father’s, where there are a limited number of small lesions, this treatment is commonly preferred.

It works by damaging tumor cells so that they stop growing and gradually shrink over time. Therefore, it does not merely slow the disease but can effectively control the tumors in many patients.

Compared to whole-brain radiation therapy, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is more precise and spares the surrounding normal brain tissue. Because of this targeted approach, the risk of long-term side effects such as memory loss or decline in cognitive function is significantly lower. This is particularly important in elderly patients, where maintaining daily functioning and quality of life is a priority.

The symptoms of dizziness and headache are likely due to swelling (edema) around the brain lesions. Steroids such as Dexamethasone are commonly used to reduce this swelling, which explains the improvement in symptoms. However, an increase in blood sugar levels is a known side effect of steroids. This can be managed with appropriate monitoring and temporary adjustment of anti-diabetic medications such as Metformin or Insulin, if required, under medical supervision.

Once the lesions are controlled with Gamma Knife radiosurgery, the steroid dose is usually gradually reduced, which helps in normalizing blood sugar levels.

For a 72-year-old patient with a few small brain metastases and mild symptoms, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is considered a safer and more precise option compared to whole-brain radiation therapy. It offers good chances of tumor control while preserving cognitive function and quality of life.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.