GammaTile^® Brachytherapy

Tailored, skilled care is necessary when navigating a brain tumor or brain cancer. At AHN, our expert neurosurgeons are at the forefront of using advanced technologies that target a variety of tumors affecting the brain. The care you receive at AHN is customized to your needs and delivered with compassion and precision. The state-of-the-art treatment available for patients at AHN includes a broad array of options for the diverse patient population we serve.

An option for many patients with brain tumors is GammaTile® brachytherapy. GammaTile therapy is an FDA-approved, surgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) for malignant brain tumors (such as glioblastoma and brain metastasis) and recurrent benign brain tumors. It is designed to eliminate microscopic residual tumor cells after surgical removal of a brain tumor.

GammaTile therapy is a targeted radiation treatment.  It involves placing small, bioresorbable collagen tiles, each containing four seeds that emit low-dose radiation, directly at the site of the tumor after it has been surgically removed. The goal is to destroy remaining cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue.

GammaTile may eliminate the need for further radiation treatments after surgery — letting patients receive radiation therapy while they are recovering from surgery. The decision to treat a patient with GammaTile requires a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, neuro-oncologists, and radiation physicists.  At AHN, we have created a Multidisciplinary Brain Tumor Clinic to improve patient experience and offer cutting-edge technology such as GammaTile. At AHN, our approach to brain tumor care has led to AHN being recognized as a GammaTile Center of Excellence in 2025.

Why choose AHN?

Our highly experienced team of neuro-oncologists (brain cancer specialists) and neurosurgeons (brain surgeons) performs treatments that are only available at the very best hospitals in the country. By choosing AHN for your care, you will find:

• Improved survival rates: We use aggressive treatments while making sure you are feeling as well as you can. Helping you live a longer, more comfortable life is our priority.
• Advanced technology: Sophisticated tools, such as genome analysis, allow us to understand how the tumor will respond to different treatments before we prescribe them. This means your time will be spent receiving treatment tailored to your specific needs.
• Minimally invasive treatments: Many of our treatment options are outpatient procedures that involve a short recovery time. Instead of spending all your time in a hospital, you can live your life and enjoy your family and friends.
• A collaborative approach: We discuss all our patients in a weekly meeting with our brain cancer experts. You benefit from the combined experience of a team that includes neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, and neuroradiologists. Because we are always up to date on your progress, we are able to give you the best possible care. Have appointments with several specialists in the same place and same appointment at our Brain Tumor Multi-Disciplinary Clinic.
• Robust support: We invite all patients with brain cancer to join our weekly support group to share feelings, discuss symptoms, and help one another cope. It may help you feel better during treatment and experience an improved state of mind.
• A convenient, after-hours cancer clinic: If you experience side effects from treatment, call your physician’s office first, then visit our After Hours Oncology Clinic, conveniently located at West Penn Hospital. We treat you quickly, without exposing your compromised immune system to the germs you may encounter at a traditional emergency room. Plus, our clinic is more affordable than a visit to the ER. And since our oncology specialists have access to your records, they may even be able to advise you over the phone and save you from making a trip.
• Clinical trials: If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to participate in an experimental clinical trial. You could gain access to a groundbreaking treatment before it is widely available. Learn more about our clinical trial program.

What to expect for a GammaTile procedure

The GammaTile procedure is performed in a hospital setting, specifically within an operating room. This is because it is a surgical procedure that involves removing the tumor and then implanting the GammaTiles. The GammaTile implantation itself is performed during the same surgical procedure as the tumor removal. The time for the entire surgery (tumor removal plus GammaTile placement) will vary depending on the size, location, and complexity of the tumor. However, the placement of the GammaTiles is a relatively quick step at the end of the tumor resection (removal).

To prepare for the surgery, your AHN surgical and oncology teams will give you specific instructions and reviewing everything with you, so you can get your questions answered and feel confident in the plan. Overall, most patients will be asked to arrive at the hospital several hours before surgery to begin preparations. A GammaTile procedure often includes:

• Preoperative preparation: This often includes preoperative tests such as checking vital signs, having blood tests, and a review of your medical history. Your anesthesiologist will review the anesthesia plan since you will be asleep during the surgery. Your surgical team will review the plan with you and answer any remaining questions.
• Surgery: Once under general anesthesia, the neurosurgeon will perform a craniotomy (an opening in the skull) to access the brain tumor. The primary goal is to resect (surgically remove) as much of the tumor as safely possible. Immediately after tumor removal, the sterile GammaTiles will be carefully placed by the neurosurgeon along the margins where the tumor was located. The number of tiles used will depend on the size and shape of the cavity. Once the tiles are in place, the surgical site will be closed.

GammaTile recovery

After the surgery, you will be moved into recovery where you will be closely monitored as you wake up from anesthesia. There may be some pain or discomfort, but that will be managed with medication. Your care team will watch closely for any neurological changes or complications, and your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. Most patients require several days of inpatient care.

What are the side effects of GammaTile?

The GammaTile aims to minimize severe side effects for those dealing with brain tumors. However, there are some postoperative side effects that some patients experience. Most side effects that patients experience are related to the surgical procedure, rather than GammaTile placement. These can include:

• Pain/discomfort: At the surgical site (scalp incision). This is usually managed with pain medication.
• Swelling: Around the surgical area and potentially within the brain (cerebral edema). Steroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling.
• Headache: Common after brain surgery.
• Nausea or vomiting: Generally a side effect of anesthesia or the brain tumor location.
• Fatigue: Significant fatigue is common after major surgery, especially brain surgery.
• Seizures: While less common, brain surgery can irritate brain tissue and lead to seizures. Anti-seizure medications may be prescribed proactively.
• Infection: As with any surgery, there's a risk of infection at the incision site or within the brain.
• Bleeding or hemorrhage: A risk inherent with brain surgery.
• Neurological deficits: Depending on the tumor's location and the extent of surgery, there's a risk of new or worsened neurological problems (e.g., weakness, speech difficulties, cognitive changes).

Sometimes, people will experience side effects from the GammaTile radiation. The localized, low-dose radiation from GammaTile is designed to reduce the severity of radiation-related side effects compared to external beam radiation, but they can still occur. These can include:

• Radiation necrosis: This is the death of healthy brain tissue due to radiation. While GammaTile aims to prevent this by targeting the treatment, it's still a potential risk with any radiation. Symptoms can mimic tumor recurrence and may include headache, seizures, or neurological deficits.
• Cyst formation: Fluid-filled sacs can sometimes develop in the brain tissue around the radiation site, although this does not appear to be increased with GammaTile radiation.
• Inflammation or edema: The radiation can cause inflammation and swelling in the brain tissue surrounding the GammaTiles.
• Hair loss: This is very rare with GammaTile radiation therapy.
  

These side effects are rare, but it’s important for patients to be aware of the risks.

GammaTile FAQs

GammaTile is a state-of-the-art device that works to deliver targeted radiation to those dealing with brain tumors. AHN is committed to providing our patients with advanced treatment options. Your care team is available to answer any and all questions you may have about this procedure. We’ve included some basic questions that many of our patients have and hope you can use these answers to build your confidence in the procedure.

Is GammaTile FDA approved?

Yes, GammaTile therapy is FDA-approved. It received FDA 510(k) clearance in July 2018 for treating newly diagnosed malignant brain tumors and recurrent brain tumors. In January 2020, its indications were expanded to include all types of recurrent brain tumors and newly diagnosed malignant brain tumors. This means the FDA has determined that GammaTile is safe and effective for its intended use.

What is the success rate of GammaTile?

The success rate for GammaTile therapy is typically measured by its ability to control tumor growth at the surgical site (local control) and improve overall survival. Studies on the procedure have delivered favorable results:

• Studies have shown that GammaTile can significantly improve local tumor control. For example, one resource mentions studies reporting one-year local control rates as high as 70% – 80% for certain types of recurrent brain tumors, which can be a significant improvement compared to surgery alone for aggressive tumors. For example, one resource mentions studies reporting one-year local control rates as high as 70% – 80% for certain types of recurrent brain tumors, which can be a significant improvement compared to surgery alone for aggressive tumors.
• The therapy aims to delay tumor recurrence and extend progression-free survival.
• It's important to note that "success" can vary based on the type of tumor, its aggressiveness, patient characteristics, and whether it's a newly diagnosed or recurrent tumor. The primary goal is to provide targeted radiation to eliminate residual tumor cells and reduce the likelihood of the tumor growing back in the immediate surgical area.
  

What is the difference between GammaTile and Gamma Knife?

GammaTile is a surgical adjunct that provides targeted internal radiation after tumor removal, while Gamma Knife is a nonsurgical external radiation technique used to treat intact brain lesions with high precision. They can sometimes be used in sequence or as complementary treatments, depending on the patient's specific condition and treatment plan.

Contact us

To schedule an appointment or learn more about AHN neuroscience services, call 412-359-6200 in Pittsburgh or 814-452-7575 in Erie.