The Gamma knife is an irradiation device with 192 radioactive cobalt sources. These cobalt sources are contained in a metal hood. Small openings allow the cobalt sources to be directed to a fixed point. The area to be irradiated receives the right dose of radiation from different angles and the surrounding tissue is burdened as little as possible. The radiation is very precise and therefore a high dose can be given so that you have less chance of side effects. This technique has been around since 1962 and has been getting better and better over the past 60 years.

The Gamma Knife team consists of various specialists: radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, doctors in training to become radiation oncologists, clinical physicists and radiation therapy laboratory technicians. The specialists work closely together.

Your practitioner is a radiation oncologist or neurosurgeon. A radiation oncologist is a medical specialist who treats cancer with radiation. A neurosurgeon is a medical specialist who usually performs neurosurgical treatments, but is also specially trained to perform this treatment.

A clinical physicist is a specialist in the field of medical equipment and radiation treatment. He or she ensures that the treatment is safe and of good quality.

The specially trained radiotherapy laboratory technicians perform the radiation. They will accompany you throughout the day.