On Aug. 19, 2019, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute announced it became the first cancer center in Michigan to treat patients with the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon stereotactic radiosurgery system (SRS) for intracranial cancers.

This advanced technology and the special space built to accommodate were part of the renovations completed at Karmanos Cancer Institute’s outpatient treatment facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan — the Lawrence and Idell Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center.

Gamma Knife® Icon™ is a clinically proven radiosurgical method to treat select intracranial locations, such as the brain, brain stem or the trigeminal nerve. Gamma Knife does not involve a blade. Instead, this highly sophisticated non-invasive technology uses radiation beams to precisely target the tumor, sparing healthy brain and body tissue. Preserving tissue helps maintain normal function that can impact the patient’s quality of life.