Series Description

There is limited information regarding best practices and outcomes using fractionated frameless gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery. Physicians and other learners seek to improve their competence, knowledge and skills to evaluate, assess, diagnose and determine whether or not Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery is the optimal choice for a patient presented with signs and/or symptoms of brain tumors, functional disorders and vascular malformations. Interdisciplinary team members need to know the risks versus benefits associated with fractionated gamma knife treatment, frame based treatment and frameless treatment. As new research becomes available, physicians and other learners need to continue understanding the risks versus benefits associated with fractionated gamma knife treatment, frame based treatment and frameless treatment. Frequent review of Gamma Knife peer reviewed literature, patient outcomes, and manufacturer guidelines are necessary. Due to ongoing research regarding best practice for brain tumors, functional disorders, AVMs and development of new indications for Gamma knife, frequent review of peer reviewed literature, patient outcomes, and manufacturer guidelines is essential for delivering quality care. Inter-professional collaboration allows for identification of appropriate treatment options, based on current neurological deficits that will yield best quality of life benefits for patients. Through regularly scheduled case conferences, the inter-professional team will gain a broader knowledge of Gamma Knife's risks and benefits in terms of treatment type, treatment plan, dosage, outcome, recurrence(s) of disease, new indications, potential complications, research findings. This essential knowledge will allow the physicians, RN's, physicists and patient care coordinators to properly determine appropriate gamma knife candidates, treatment type, radiosurgery dosages and indications for fractionation which will ultimately minimize potential complications.

Target Audience

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse, Registered (RN)

Physicians (MD or DO)

Physician Assistant (PA)

Learning Objectives:

1.) Discuss with the inter-professional team the risks and benefits of Gamma Knife as key considerations for identification of treatment types and individualized treatment plans.

2.) Collaborate with the inter-professional team to appropriately determine Gamma Knife candidates and initiate the necessary referrals.

3.) Apply the recommendations and treatment plan developed via this inter-professional forum.

Culturally Appropriate Care which is Free of Implicit Biases (CA AB 1195 & 241):

1. Porter AB, Chukwueke UN, Mammoser AG, Friday B, Hervey-Jumper S. Delivering Equitable Care to Underserved Neuro-oncology Populations. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2021 Mar;41:1-9. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_320803. PMID: 33830829.
2. Anker, C., Hymas, R., Hazard, L. Boucher, K., Jensen, R. & Shrieve, D. (2010). Stereotactic radiosurgery eligibility and selection bias in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 98, 253-263. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11060-010-0176-y

Disclosure of Financial or In-Kind Commercial Support & Conflict of Interest

No one else involved in the planning or presentation of this educational activity have any relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. No financial or in-kind commercial support was received to produce or promote this educational activity.   – Provider Designee/Verification:  Kerri Maya, MSL, RN