Patients & Visitors
Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Gamma Knife Program
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a revolutionary approach to treating brain tumors and other central nervous system disorders without scapels or sutures. Malignant brain tumors and metastatic tumors that have spread to the brain can be treated by this unusual but well-documented "surgery." Radiosurgery can also be used to treat benign tumors such as acoustic neuromas, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas and pituitary tumors. Certain blood vessel abnormalities in the brain also may be treated with radiosurgery. In addition, radiosurgery is effective at treating certain chronic pain disorders, such as trigeminal neuralgia.
The UC Davis Department of Radiation Oncology is one of the few radiosurgery centers worldwide where patients may be treated by two very different stereotactic radiosurgery treatment methods:
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the Leksell Gamma Knife system, capable of targeting small tumors or neural tissues with precision and
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the Elekta-S, a linear accelerator, for large and irregularly shaped brain lesions that require multiple treatments.
The availability of the two systems gives our patients more treatment options and allows us to successfully treat a wide range of tumors and disorders.
Surgery without an incision
Unlike traditional surgery, no knife is used. Instead, patients are treated with highly-focused radiation beams that destroy abnormal tissue with minimal risk to surrounding healthy tissue. The term "stereotactic" refers to the computer-calculated, three-dimensional coordinates that guide the beams of radiation with extreme precision.
Open-skull surgery usually requires an extended hospital stay. In contrast, radiosurgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. In addition, radiosurgery carries minimal risk of infection, hemorrhage or other complications associated with open-skull surgery.
Anesthesia-related risks are also reduced, since general anesthesia is rarely required; radiosurgery is both painless and bloodless. Recovery time is minimal as well. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities a day or two following radiosurgery.
Radiosurgery is reimbursed by most insurance companies, PPOs, HMOs, and Medicare.
National Cancer Institute seal of approval
Our excellence in cancer treatment is reflected in our designation by the National Cancer Institute, the nation’s top cancer organization. Only 60 other cancer centers nationwide have successfully competed for this designation, a mark of the highest standards and achievements in cancer research and treatment.
Center of Excellence
The UC Davis Department of Radiation Oncology is distinguished as a Center of Excellence for radiosurgery by the International RadioSurgery Association (IRSA), an independent organization offering education, emotional support and referrals for patients around the world.
Our treatment team
At UC Davis Cancer Center, each patient's radiosurgery is planned and delivered collaboratively by a multidisciplinary team of medical personnel with advanced training in radiosurgery.
The team includes radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, radiation physicists and radiosurgery nurses.
Radiation Oncology
Stephen Franklin, M.D.
Staff Physician
Neurological Surgery
James E. Boggan, M.D.
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Dongwoo John Chang, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
Director, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
Director, Epilepsy Surgery
Co-Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Kee Kim, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery
Radiation Physics
Robin Stern, Ph.D.
Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology Physics
Julian Perks, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology Physics
Radiology
Richard Latchaw, M.D.
Professor of Radiology and Chief of Neuroradiology
Cheng Ji, M.D.
Associate Professor of Radiology
Radiosurgery Nursing
Theresa Wilson, R.N., O.C.N.
Radiosurgery Coordinator
How to reach us
Gamma Knife/Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program
Radiation Oncology Clinic
UC Davis Cancer Center
4501 X St.
Sacramento, CA 95817
New patient appointments: (916) 734-1971 or (800) 770-9275
If you have questions regarding radiosurgery, please contact Theresa Wilson at (916) 734-5821 or by e-mail at radiosurgery@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.