Cromwell Hospital, one of London's premier independent hospitals with over 500 specialists covering more than 70 specialities, today announced the first treatment using the new and innovative Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ for non-invasive brain surgery.
A middle aged athletic woman who is a regular long distance runner was treated for multiple brain tumours stemming from a primary breast cancer.
The Gamma Knife Centre at Cromwell Hospital, one of a few in the UK offering this alternative to open brain surgery, has helped over a thousand patients since its inauguration in 1998. Recently, the Centre has invested in a brand new technology, allowing more patients to be treated with Gamma Knife surgery more quickly. This multi million pound investment will further enhance the already exceptional facilities at Cromwell Hospital.
“The treatment went very well, even though it was a complex case. The new Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion made it possible to reach and treat metastases located close to the skull base”, said Mr Christer Lindquist, Medical Director of the Cromwell Gamma Knife Centre, who treated the patient.
Using previous technology this treatment could have taken up to 8 hours but on the new Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion this treatment only took 4 hours with very little discomfort for the patient, who returned to daily activities within 24 hours with the prospect of an improved quality of life in a matter of weeks.
Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion has been developed by the Swedish company Elekta®, and is the world’s most advanced system for stereotactic radiosurgery in the brain, cervical spine and head & neck regions, and has been developed with a strong focus on ease of use and comfort for both patients and staff.
"At Cromwell Hospital, our aim is to provide the best possible care using the most up-to-date technology available. Our Leksell Gamma Knife unit was the first in London and has over the years been an important tool for our clinicians. It has enabled our patients to choose a non-invasive form of neurosurgery which usually allows them to return to their normal lifestyle the following day. For Cromwell Hospital, being one of Britain's leading private hospitals with the greatest range of technology of any independent hospital in the UK, it was a natural decision to upgrade our standard of care by acquiring the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion. We have invested over £11 million in new equipment for cancer treatment in the last year" says Professor Keith Britton, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cromwell Hospital.
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