The delivery of the Leksell Gamma Knife® as part of Icon Cancer Centre services at Epworth Richmond last month marked a major milestone toward providing world-leading precision oncology access for Epworth patients.
Gamma Knife technology uses hundreds of highly focused, sub-millimetre beams of radiation to precisely target and treat cancerous and non-cancerous brain tumours, vascular abnormalities and certain neurological disorders, all without the need for traditional surgery.
This technology is regarded as a medical gamechanger for treating complex brain conditions, and may help reduce recovery times, improve treatment outcomes and enhance overall quality of life.
Weighing approximately 20 tonnes, the Gamma Knife ESPRIT unit travelled from Sweden to Epworth Richmond. In contrast, 192 cobalt source pieces, produced in Canada, are small but powerful components that will generate the hundreds of finely focused radiation beams used in treatment. The carefully planned delivery in late March involved a specialised loading machine, of which only three only exist worldwide.
The Gamma Knife facility is expected to be available for patient treatment from mid 2026.
