Gamma Knife or CyberKnife — which one do I need?

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in Istanbul

Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kaya · radiation oncology, CyberKnife program lead
Reviewed 02 Jul 2026 · consent verified

In short

Gamma Knife treats tumors inside the head only — brain metastases, meningioma, acoustic neuroma — usually in a single outpatient session. A session in Istanbul costs $8,000–11,000 vs ~$21,000 in Germany. The tumor board confirms candidacy from your MRI in 72 hours — and says so honestly when CyberKnife or surgery would serve you better.

Intracranial only, usually one session. $8,000–11,000 vs ~$21,000 in Germany. Board confirms candidacy in 72h — honestly.

Cost per session

UPDATED Q3 2026PLACEHOLDER

Course

Istanbul

Germany typ.

Typical use

Single session

$8,000–11,000

$21,000

1–3 brain mets, meningioma

Includes frame or mask fixation, planning MRI, session, observation, report. Ranges come from partner-hospital quotes, updated quarterly.

Get an exact quote for your case

Cost per session

Q3 2026

Single session

$8,000–11,000

Germany typ. $21,000 · placeholder

The machine

[ Gamma Knife Icon suite — documentary ]

[ Gamma Knife Icon — documentary ]

Gamma Knife Icon

Accuracy

sub-millimeter (<1 mm)

Target region

intracranial only

Fixation

mask or frame, same day

Session length

20–90 min, outpatient

Anesthesia

not required

Accuracy

<1 mm

Target

intracranial only

Session

20–90 min · outpatient

Also available at partner hospitals: CyberKnife S7, TrueBeam STx — the board picks the platform per case, not per brochure.

Are you a candidate?

Typically suitable

1–3 brain metastases up to ~3 cm

Meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pituitary adenoma

Recurrence after previous brain radiotherapy

Patients who cannot undergo open surgery

Usually better served otherwise

Tumors outside the head — CyberKnife or IMRT/VMAT

Many metastases — systemic therapy first

Large tumors with mass effect — surgery remains standard

About a third of Gamma Knife inquiries we review are redirected to a better-indicated treatment. We tell you either way.

Typically suitable

1–3 brain mets ≤3 cm · meningioma · acoustic neuroma · re-irradiation

Usually better served otherwise

Extracranial tumors · many metastases · large tumors with mass effect

Send your imaging. Get a yes or no — with reasons.

Prof. Kaya's board answers in 72 hours, free.

Check my candidacy — freeCheck my candidacy

Fair questions about Gamma Knife

For targets inside the head, both platforms reach comparable control rates; the board picks per case — location, size, prior radiation — not per brochure. Outside the head, Gamma Knife is not an option. If a partner hospital only owns one machine, we say so.

Every cancer case is individual. Assessments do not replace in-person examination.Every cancer case is individual. Assessments are based on the reports you provide and do not replace in-person examination. Survival statistics are population-level data, not personal predictions.

Gamma Knife vs CyberKnife →Turkey Oncology Price Index →Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kaya — profile →

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