The Gamma Knife Center at Ascension Illinois provides advanced, non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery using highly focused radiation to treat conditions in the brain and upper spine without traditional open surgery. It is one of only three Gamma Knife sites in Illinois, offering patients access to highly specialized expertise.
Gamma Knife is highly effective for treating:
- Brain metastases
- Single or multiple lesions
- Benign brain tumors
- Meningioma
- Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)
- Pituitary adenoma
- Vascular disorders
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Cavernous malformations (selected cases)
- Functional and pain disorders
- Trigeminal neuralgia (medically refractory)
- Recurrent or residual disease
- Lesions not amenable to open surgery
- Tumors in eloquent or deep brain regions
What is Gamma Knife®?
Gamma Knife® radiosurgery is a non-invasive treatment, meaning there is no incision. Highly focused beams of radiation are used to target the problem area with exceptional precision, which helps protect nearby healthy brain tissue.
Most treatments are completed in a single session, and many patients return home the same day and resume normal activities quickly.
History
Gamma Knife radiosurgery has been used safely for more than 50 years to treat brain and neurological conditions. It uses highly focused beams of radiation to precisely target abnormalities without an incision, helping protect nearby healthy tissue.
At Ascension Alexian Brothers, the program has been certified for more than 20 years, and most treatments are completed in a single session, with many patients returning home the same day and resuming normal activities quickly.
