My Gamma Knife Experience by Natasha

Gamma Knife Day was a very early start, we had to be at the hospital for 6.30am! On the way into the hospital we were treated to a beautiful sunrise; we are hoping it was a good omen!

The hospital was eerily quiet and we went straight to the gamma knife unit. Gamma knife is a gold standard radiotherapy used to treat brain and spine tumours. There are very few of these machines across the country and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have access to this fantastic treatment.

I was welcomed by some of the team who were caring for me and was shown to my own private room that would become my home for the day.

Very quickly I was whisked away to have a cannula and my frame (although I prefer to call it my Jedi helmet) fitted.

Fitting the frame was probably the worst part of the whole experience- I had local anaesthetic injections to four points on my head (one either side of my temples and then two at back of my head) . In order to do this, my hair was beautifully styled into three bunches.

The frame or Jedi helmet was then pinned to my skull. It sounds very barbaric but it was actually ok.

Following this procedure, my head was then measured for the treatment using what can only be described as a space helmet and I was taken straight to the MRI room to have my planning scan - top tip: DO NOT wear anything with any metal in it. This is a high resolution MRI machine and it does not tolerate metal!

I was then brought back to my private room where I enjoyed a delicious breakfast.

The frame felt a bit heavy but it was ok… the funniest part was trying to eat or drink with it on! It brought a whole new skill set that I didn’t know I had!

Very soon, my consultant came back to see me with the results of the brain MRI and explained what was going to happen next. Because of the peculiar shape of my tumour, treatment would take longer than initially thought.

I didn’t mind that treatment was going to take longer than thought, as I had prepared a zapping playlist and was looking forward to listening to it!

Before long, I was wheeled down to the gamma room where I was made comfortable and my head was fixed to the couch. Then the treatment began. It was painless and very quiet. I closed my eyes and listened to my music- in fact I think I may have drifted off to sleep! I was in the machine for just over an hour.

Once the radiotherapy was finished, the frame was removed, we had lunch and then were free to go. When the frame was removed, the pin sites stung slightly but nothing that a dose of paracetamol didn’t fix. The top of my head was expected to be numb for 3 weeks or so and other than that, there are minimal side effects.

The care I received was excellent from start to finish; the communication was outstanding and I felt totally informed and safe throughout the whole process. I cannot thank the staff at St. James’ Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre , Bexley Wing, enough. What could have been a terrifying experience was managed in such a streamlined and supportive manner. At every point, I felt calm, held and safe.

Some more information about gammA knife

In the ever-evolving field of neurosurgery and oncology, precision is everything—especially when it comes to treating complex conditions of the brain. Gamma Knife radiosurgery, despite its name, is a non-invasive, highly accurate form of radiation therapy used to treat brain tumours amongst other neurological disorders.

What Is Gamma Knife Radiotherapy?

Gamma Knife radiotherapy is a form of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) that delivers concentrated beams of gamma radiation to precise areas within the brain. Unlike traditional surgery, it does not involve any incisions. Instead, it uses up to 192 individual beams of radiation that intersect at a single point—ensuring the highest dose targets only the abnormal tissue, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy brain structures.

How It Works

Before treatment, patients undergo advanced imaging, such as a brain MRI to identify the exact location of the target. A stereotactic frame or mask is used to keep the head perfectly still during the procedure. Before fitting the frame, the patient is given a local anesthetic. The patient remains awake throughout the procedure and the treatment is typically completed in one session; treatment can last for anything between a few minutes to over an hour. The procedure itself is painless.

Key Advantages

· Non-Invasive: No surgical incision means reduced risk of infection, less pain, and quicker recovery.

· Precision: Can treat deep or delicate areas of the brain that would be difficult to reach with conventional surgery.

· Outpatient Procedure: Most patients return home the same day, often resuming normal activities within 24–48 hours.

· Low Risk Profile: Fewer complications and side effects compared to open brain surgery.

For many patients, Gamma Knife radiotherapy is an effective treatment. It offers hope where traditional surgery might be risky or impossible. It represents a fusion of technology, precision, and compassionate care—delivering powerful results with minimal disruption to patients’ lives.

Natasha Loveridge, EGFR+ UK Ambassador and member