What should you know about gamma knife surgery lung cancer?

Gamma Knife treats a target inside the skull, not the lung tumour itself. When lung cancer has spread to the brain, a multidisciplinary team may consider focused stereotactic radiosurgery for suitable metastases. The decision uses brain imaging, the number and position of targets, their size, symptoms, previous treatment and the status of cancer elsewhere in the body.

Lung cancer treatment usually needs a broader plan, which may include treatment directed at the lung, medicines for cancer throughout the body, or another brain treatment. Gamma Knife may address a brain target while the oncology team manages the rest of the disease.

Ask whether the brain finding has been confirmed on appropriate imaging and whether tissue information or prior scans change the plan. Bring your lung cancer treatment history, medication list and details of seizures, headaches, balance changes or vision problems. Discuss steroids, anti-seizure medicines, systemic treatment timing and how the brain plan will be coordinated.

Learn about [Brain Metastases](/conditions/brain-metastases/) and [Stereotactic Radiosurgery](/treatments/radiation-oncology/stereotactic-radiosurgery/) before your consultation. Surgery may be considered for some brain lesions, while [Brain Tumour Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/brain-tumour-surgery/) is a separate approach.

A first seizure, sudden weakness, new confusion, collapse, or sudden speech or vision change needs emergency assessment. Call the oncology or radiation team promptly for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing sleepiness, fever, or a rapid change in balance after treatment.

Is the brain target suitable for focused radiation? What treatment will address the lung and the rest of the cancer? How will medicines and radiation be timed? What symptoms mean I should go to emergency care?