Which type of radiation involves the use of a helmet device to direct rays specifically to brain cancer?

Gamma knife radiosurgery is a specialized form of radiation therapy that is designed specifically to treat brain tumors and other lesions within the brain. This innovative technique uses a helmet-like device, which contains multiple sources of concentrated gamma radiation, to deliver precisely targeted radiation beams to the tumor. The advantage of this method is its ability to focus high doses of radiation on the tumor with minimal impact on the surrounding healthy brain tissue.

This precision allows for the treatment of brain cancer with a reduced risk of damaging adjacent healthy structures, thereby improving the patient's quality of life post-treatment. Gamma knife treatment is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and can be an effective option for patients who may not be ideal candidates for traditional surgical intervention.

In contrast, teletherapy and external beam therapy, while also used for various cancers, generally refer to broader applications of radiation therapy that may not offer the same level of precision for brain-specific lesions. Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources directly inside or very close to the tumor, which is also not applicable to the specific scenario of directing radiation to brain cancer via a helmet device.