MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is the first hospital in Orange County to offer GammaTile therapy.
GammaTile® is a Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) for operable brain tumors that provides immediate radiation treatment after tumor removal. Each GammaTile has radiation sources embedded in a collagen tile that deliver a precise dose of radiation focused right where it is needed and away from healthy brain tissue, eliminating the need for traditional repeat radiation treatments.
Each GammaTile is about the size of a postage stamp and contains four small radiation sources. These sources deliver continuous radiation directly to the tumor site. After all radiation has been delivered, the sources will become inactive, and your body will naturally absorb the tile.
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is the first hospital in Orange County to offer GammaTile therapy.
Who is a Candidate for Treatment?
Patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent brain tumors including glioblastomas, meningiomas and brain metastases.
How GammaTile Works
- Your neurosurgeon places GammaTile(s) at the tumor site immediately after tumor removal. Tile placement takes only a few minutes.
- Radiation is focused where the tumor is likely to recur and begins targeting residual tumor cells right away.
- Radiation therapy is administered as you go about your day.
- Ninety percent of the radiation dose is delivered in 33 days, and after 100 days, the radiation sources are considered completely free of radiation.
- Overtime, your body will naturally absorb the collagen tile.
Benefits of GammaTile
- Radiation treatment starts right away after tumor removal.
- Radiation is focused directly where it needs to be, protecting healthy tissue and lessening side effects, like hair loss.
- Eliminates the need for daily radiation treatments in a clinic setting.