Victorian patients with brain tumours and cranial disorders are to have a greater chance of survival and improved quality of life as Victoria’s first ever gamma knife arrives in the State.
Minister for Health, Martin Foley unveiled the $8 million gamma knife at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
“The world-leading intra-cranial stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy machine is only the third in Australia,” Mr Foley said.
“It delivers high-intensity cobalt radiation therapy as a non-invasive way to treat lesions inside the skull,” he said.
“The machine uses gamma rays to deliver a precise dose of radiation to the target in the brain to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours, while avoiding damaging healthy brain tissue.”
Mr Foley said gamma knife radiosurgery and radiotherapy had revolutionised the management of patients, who in the past had very limited treatment options.
The Minister said the gamma knife was widely accepted as the gold standard in radiosurgery for adults and children with brain tumours.
“Up to 500 patients a year are expected to benefit from the new equipment – ensuring they receive the very best care they need closer to home,” he said.
Mr Foley said the device may also provide new treatment options for a range of other non-cancerous conditions, such as painful trigeminal neuralgia, cranial vascular disorders, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.
