Truly cutting-edge treatment helps a patient regain the life she loves

Gamma Knife eliminates 37 brain tumors

Niki Kozak lived with early-stage melanoma for six years and was thriving as a radio host and promotions director; mom and wife; and avid runner, hiker and bicyclist.

But when she discovered her melanoma had metastasized to other parts of her body, including her brain, she reached out to Keck Medicine of USC.

She had lost both parents to cancer and was determined to receive the best care possible.

After initial treatments, Niki began undergoing stereotactic-radiosurgery, a very precise, targeted radiation therapy that would prove foundational to her treatment. She was put under the care of radiation oncologist Dr. Eric Chang and Dr. Gabriel Zada, co-director of the USC Brain Tumor Center.

Niki’s brain tumors were treated with a specialized tool known as the Gamma Knife. With the aid of 3D imaging, the Gamma Knife uses almost 200 converging pencil-shaped beams of radiation to precisely target, shrink and eliminate tumors.

The issue Niki faced was that over the course of more than a year, new tumors kept cropping up in her brain — for a total of 37 tumors. However, Dr. Chang was able to use the Gamma Knife to eliminate all of them as they appeared.

Niki was also able to avoid the more conventional treatment for multiple brain metastases — whole brain radiation — which can result in permanent side-effects, such as cognitive damage.

“Dr. Chang diligently chased down my tumors every six weeks for more than 12 months,” said Niki. “His patience and persistence gave me the best possible care and left me with a good quality of life long-term.”

Over the past several years, the Gamma Knife has revolutionized brain tumor treatment at the health system. Patients avoid long hospital stays and with no incision or open surgery needed, complications that may arise from a more invasive treatment may be avoided. We are also proud that we just became the first medical center in Southern California to receive the latest and most advanced model of the Gamma Knife.

I am thankful for our neurosurgeons leading Keck Medicine to new frontiers in the field. From the latest radiosurgery treatments to groundbreaking clinical trials that improve outcomes for tough brain cancers, to unique stem cell treatments that may one day stop Parkinson’s symptoms, our brain specialists are on the forefront of improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

As for Niki, she went on to have immunotherapy and other treatments to eliminate tumors in the other areas of her body, and she continues to have regular checkups with her oncologists.

Importantly, she is back to enjoying an active lifestyle. She recently completed a 100-mile bike ride, ran a marathon and hiked the Italian Alps and the Canadian Rockies.

And am I ever glad we helped her get there.

Over the past several years, the Gamma Knife has revolutionized brain tumor treatment at the health system. Patients avoid long hospital stays and with no incision or open surgery needed, complications that may arise from a more invasive treatment may be avoided

Rod Hanners, CEO of Keck Medicine of USC

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