GammaTile Brachytherapy
Fellowship-trained brain tumor surgeons • 12 hospital affiliations across New Jersey
GammaTile (GT Medical Technologies) is an FDA-cleared surgically targeted radiation therapy (STaRT) device consisting of collagen tiles embedded with cesium-131 radiation seeds. The tiles are placed directly in the tumor resection cavity at the time of brain tumor surgery, delivering immediate, continuous low-dose-rate brachytherapy to the cavity margin the area of highest residual tumor cell burden before the patient wakes from anesthesia.
Key takeaways
- GammaTile tiles are placed into the tumor cavity during surgery, delivering immediate radiation to the cavity margin without waiting for wound healing before additional therapy can begin.
- The cesium-131 seeds within each tile have a short half-life of 9.7 days, delivering most of the prescribed radiation dose within approximately 30 days.
- GammaTile is FDA-cleared for recurrent intracranial neoplasms and newly diagnosed malignant brain tumors.
- It is particularly valuable for recurrent glioblastoma and meningioma, where additional external beam radiation may be limited by prior radiation exposure.
- Whether GammaTile is incorporated into a treatment plan is determined collaboratively by Atlantic Brain and Spine's brain tumor neurosurgeons and the multidisciplinary neuro-oncology team at the Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center.
| Device | Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds embedded in bioabsorbable collagen tiles |
| FDA clearance | Recurrent intracranial neoplasms; newly diagnosed malignant brain tumors |
| Radiation type | Low-dose-rate cesium-131 brachytherapy |
| Half-life | Cesium-131: 9.7 days 90% of dose delivered in approximately 30 days |
| Placement | At the time of craniotomy and tumor resection |
| Biodegradation | Collagen tile scaffolding biodegrades; no hardware remains |
| Best for | Recurrent GBM, recurrent meningioma, newly diagnosed high-grade glioma at re-resection |
Timing and stay vary by patient and complexity. Your surgeon will confirm what to expect in your case.
Why immediate post-resection radiation matters
Standard external beam radiation therapy after brain tumor surgery cannot begin until the craniotomy wound has healed typically 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. During this interval, microscopic tumor cells remaining along the resection cavity margin can begin to repopulate. Both Gliadel and GammaTile help address this treatment gap one with local chemotherapy, the other with targeted radiation.
GammaTile’s cesium-131 seeds begin delivering radiation to the cavity margin immediately after placement. By the time external beam radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery is ready to begin, the cavity margin has already received a meaningful radiation dose from the GammaTile seeds, which have largely decayed by that time.
For recurrent tumors particularly those in previously irradiated areas where additional external beam radiation may not be safe GammaTile provides a way to deliver additional localized radiation directly to the resection cavity.
How GammaTile is placed
After tumor resection is complete, the neurosurgical team measures the resection cavity and determines the appropriate number and arrangement of GammaTile implants. The bioabsorbable collagen tiles are then placed along the walls of the cavity, a process that typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes and does not require a separate operation.
The cesium-131 seeds immediately begin delivering low-dose-rate radiation to the surrounding tissue, penetrating approximately 1 to 2 cm beyond the cavity margin. Because the radiation source is highly localized, the dose falls off rapidly outside the treatment area, minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Over the following weeks to months, the collagen scaffold gradually biodegrades, leaving no permanent implant behind.
Benefits and risks
Potential benefits
- Radiation begins immediately at surgery eliminating the post-operative waiting period before local treatment
- Enables re-irradiation at sites that have reached external beam dose limits
- Highly localized radiation minimal dose to surrounding normal brain beyond the cavity margin
- No additional procedure or hospital visit placed at the time of surgery
Possible risks
- Radiation necrosis at the cavity margin the same risk present with any form of brain radiation
- Wound healing complications slight risk with radioactive material in the cavity
- Radiation exposure precautions required for hospital staff and family visitors in the first 2 to 4 weeks post-operatively (low-level exposure, managed with standard protocols)
- Benefit data is strongest for recurrent tumors; long-term survival benefit for newly diagnosed GBM is still being established in ongoing trials
Your surgeon will review the benefits and risks specific to your diagnosis during your consultation.
What recovery looks like
Recovery after brain tumor surgery with GammaTile placement generally follows the standard craniotomy recovery timeline, with additional radiation safety instructions during the early post-operative period.
- Hospital stay Standard post-operative craniotomy recovery. Most patients remain in the hospital for 1 to 3 nights while routine neurological monitoring and post-operative imaging are completed.
- At discharge Written radiation safety instructions are reviewed. Patients are generally advised to limit prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for approximately 2 weeks while radiation levels decline.
- Weeks 2 to 4 Because cesium-131 has a 9.7-day half-life, most of the prescribed radiation dose is delivered during the first month. Radiation safety precautions are typically no longer necessary by the end of this period.
- Ongoing MRI surveillance and multidisciplinary follow-up with neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, and radiation oncology continue according to the underlying tumor type and overall treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is GammaTile safe for my family?
Yes, with straightforward precautions. The cesium-131 radiation is low-energy and rapidly decaying. Patients are given specific written instructions primarily limiting prolonged close contact with pregnant women and young children for approximately 2 weeks. Normal household activity with other family members is safe. Your care team will review precautions in detail before discharge.
Can GammaTile and Gliadel wafer be used together?
Potentially, yes but only for carefully selected patients. GammaTile delivers localized radiation, while Gliadel provides localized chemotherapy. Because they work through different mechanisms, they may be used together in selected cases. The decision is made collaboratively by the multidisciplinary tumor team based on the tumor type, prior treatments, surgical findings, and the patient’s overall treatment plan.
How is GammaTile different from Gamma Knife?
Despite the similar name, GammaTile is not related to Gamma Knife radiosurgery. Gamma Knife delivers focused external beams of radiation from outside the skull to a defined target. GammaTile is an internal brachytherapy device placed inside the tumor cavity during surgery, delivering radiation from within. The mechanisms, dose distributions, and clinical applications are different.
Is GammaTile available at Atlantic Brain and Spine?
GammaTile is available through Atlantic Brain and Spine’s brain tumor program at Morristown Medical Center. Eligibility is determined at the multidisciplinary tumor board based on tumor type, location, prior treatment, and overall clinical picture.
This page is for general education and does not replace medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified neurosurgeon based on your individual diagnosis and imaging. To discuss your options, call Atlantic Brain and Spine Brain Tumor Care at 973.993.7100 or request a consultation.
Brain Tumor Surgery Specialists at Atlantic Brain and Spine
Your care is provided by Atlantic Brain and Spine's multidisciplinary brain tumor team, including fellowship-trained brain tumor neurosurgeons who collaborate closely with the neuro-oncology team at the Gerald J. Glasser Brain Tumor Center.
