Stereotactic radiosurgery is a very precise form of radiation therapy. It has become the first line therapy for most acoustic neuromas.

This method uses a highly-focused dose of radiation directed at a small area of the brain tumor. It requires specialized scanning equipment, and 3-dimensional imaging. Another name for this method is a gamma knife.

Gamma knife devices include CyberKnife and LINAC X. These allow doctors to deliver a precise dose of radiation just to the area of the tumor. Gamma knives have a lightweight linear accelerator attached to a robotic arm. This highly-specific therapy delivers deadly doses to tumor cells with a minimal effect on surrounding brain tissue.

Radiotherapy is usually used in addition to surgery, especially when the entire tumor cannot be removed. Optic nerve meningiomas are often treated just with radiotherapy.