Gamma Knife Surgery: Gamma Knife surgery is recognized worldwide as the preferred stereotactic radio surgery treatment for brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations and brain dysfunctions such as trigeminal neuralgia. The Gamma Knife is actually not a knife, but a machine that directs 192 beams of highly focused cobalt gamma radiation to destroy brain tumors and abnormalities. This surgery removes the physical trauma and the majority of risks associated with conventional surgery.
Gamma Knife History:
Swedish neurosurgeon Dr. Lars Leksell and a colleague, Börje Larsson, developed the first Gamma Knife model in 1968 during their search for a non-invasive modality to treat functional brain disorders. Subsequently, the Gamma Knife was proven to be beneficial in treating brain tumors and arteriovenous abnormalities. Continuing refinement through 1975 resulted in the forerunner of today’s Gamma Knife. In 1987, the Gamma Knife was introduced to the United States.
The latest and most advanced version of the Leksell Gamma Knife, the Perfexion, was unveiled in 2006 and became available to the people of the United States in 2007. The Robert R. Smith Gamma Knife Center at Central Mississippi Medical Center became the sixth hospital in the United States to obtain the Gamma Knife Perfexion in October 2007.
Conditions Treated with Gamma Knife Surgery:
Gamma knife is proved to be very beneficial in treating many conditions which were considered to be non-treatable. Some of the conditions that can be treated from Gamma knife are as follows:
Small intracranial AVMs (Arteriovenous Malformation, an artery and vein that have not formed properly) or cavernous angiomas (not greater than 4 cm)
Benign tumors including: acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas craniopharyngiomas
Tumors located at the base of the skull in the pineal region
Metastatic brain lesions & other partially resected tumors
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders
Medically intractable epilepsy
Intractable pain in patients with disseminated cancer
Especially significant, Gamma Knife treatment has helped patients with tumors once deemed inoperable due to location; patients considered at high risk for conventional surgery due to medical condition; patients with tumors recurrent after surgery and/or radiation therapy; and patients whose tumors were not totally removed by surgery.
Preparations before Gamma Knife Surgery;
There are many important aspects, which should be considered before going for Gamma Knife procedure. Some of them are mentioned below:
One to two days before patient will need to visit the hospital for blood tests and to meet with the doctors who will perform the procedure. Patient will also meet with a neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist.
The first step in preparation is to fit the patient into the Gamma Knife helmet, or head frame. This holds the patient's head completely still while the tumor or other abnormality is precisely imaged and mapped using MRI, CT and other imaging technology. Images are downloaded to an advanced 3-D modeling simulator to complete the treatment plan.
Each doctor will record patient’s medical history, perform a physical examination and obtain consent to perform the Gamma Knife procedure.
Throughout your Gamma Knife treatment, your referring physician will play an active role in helping to determine the best treatment plan and in monitoring patient’s progress.
Gamma Knife Surgery Procedure:
Gamma Knife surgery requires the expertise of several specialists, including a physicist, a neurosurgeon, a radiation oncologist, an anesthesiologist (for children and patients with special problems) and a specially trained registered nurse.
To minimize discomfort, the patient is first given something to relax, and then a metal frame is fitted securely around the patient's head. Because the head frame is rigid and fixed in place with a pin, the tumor or lesion can be plotted with exceptional precision using a CT or MRI scan.
Three-dimensional planning software is then used to design a treatment that hits the exact contours of the tumor or lesion with an effective dosage of radiation.
By studying these images, your doctor can locate the abnormality within the brain accurately then precisely focus the gamma radiation beams on the abnormality.
Your head will be held still during the session while 192 small radiation beams are focused simultaneously at the target. The size of the focal spot can be adjusted and multiple focal spots can be combined together to deliver a high radiation dose precisely to one target or to multiple targets of almost any shape, anywhere in the brain.
After Gamma Knife Surgery:
When procedure is complete, the head frame will be removed. If you had an angiogram, you might have to lie quietly for several more hours. Some patients experience a mild headache or minor swelling where the head frame was attached, but most report no problems. Your doctor will tell you whether or not he wants you to stay overnight for observation or if you can go home immediately. Either way, you should be able to return to your normal routines in another day or so.
Gamma Knife Surgery Follow-up:
The effects of your treatment will occur over time. Radiation treatments are designed to stop the growth of tumors or lesions, which means that the effect will be seen over a period of weeks or months. Your doctor will stay in contact with you to assess your progress, which may include follow-up MRI, CT or angiography images.
Benefits of Gamma Knife Surgery:
As Gamma Knife radio surgery is performed without incisions or general anesthesia, many of the usual risks associated with conventional neurosurgery, such as neurological deficit, infection and bleeding, are reduced.
FDA approved to treat brain metastases
Patients return to pretreatment activities within days, requiring little or no rehabilitative services.
Gamma Knife is a recognized as the safe treatment option. It has been in use for more than 15 years and over 300,000 patients worldwide have benefited from this treatment.
Provides unlimited reach to areas of the brain, and with future fixation devices, reach into the cervical spine area
Provides less chemotherapy interruption than standard radiation therapy.
Added features to increase patient comfort while still providing one of the most accurate stereotactic radio surgical procedures for the brain
Gamma Knifetechnology allows treatment of inoperable lesions. The procedure offers hope to patients who were formerly considered untreatable or at very high risk during open skull surgery.
The cost of the procedure is often 25% to 30% less than traditional neurosurgery.
Reimbursed by most insurance payers.
Gamma Knife Surgery Risks:
There are some risks and side effects associated with Gamma knife surgery, though they are not as serious and occur far less frequently than with other more conventional types of brain surgery. Some of them include, side effects like nausea, headache, physical weakness and numbness.
The Cost of Gamma Knife Surgery:
In comparison to conventional surgery, Gamma Knife offers patients many benefits in terms of results and low costs. Cost savings include:
Lower treatment cost - Gamma Knife treatment is 30 to 70 percent less expensive than hospitalization for craniotomy and surgical resection
Fewer charges because most patients are released within 24 hours
Faster recovery eliminates the hidden costs of long convalescence
Best Neurosurgeons and Radiation Oncologists in India:
Gamma Knife surgery requires the expertise of several specialists, including a physicist, a neurosurgeon, a radiation oncologist, an anesthesiologist (for children and patients with special problems) and a specially trained registered nurse. India is the most sought option for international patients, as they get quality treatment at reasonable price, through the best medical expertise comprising of world class Indian Oncologist, physicist and neurosurgeon.
These medical professionals including the Oncologist, physicist and neurosurgeon in India are trained at best medical schools in the world and have many years of experience in performing Gamma Knife surgery procedures both at home and abroad. These doctors are supported by nurses and paramedic staffs who manage the unit round-the-clock with utmost care and professionalism.
The Qualifications of an these medical professionals performing the Gamma Knife Surgery in India are as follows;
MS - General Surgery
MCH – Neurosurgery and Cancer Surgery
DNB/FRCS/MRCS from International Colleges and Hospitals
International Fellowship and Training Programs
Publications and Paper Presentations in Reputed Scientific and Medical Journals
Wide Clinical Experience
Top Gamma Knife Surgery Hospitals in India: The right care at the right time can make a huge difference in terms of maintaining or recapturing quality of life. Top Gamma Knife Surgery hospitals in India provide advanced imaging technology such as MRI, CT scan etc for quick and accurate diagnosis of the patient’s medical conditions enabling quick solution with fast treatment.
Here, in India, the Gamma Knife surgery hospitals are passionately focused on meeting the unique needs of international patients, whether it's using the most advanced technology or performing the latest breakthrough procedures-all at one comprehensive, convenient location. These hospitals provide their patients with maximum results and minimal downtime.
The nursing staff at these hospitals provide you with the best of expert care creating a personalized program that will put you on the road to recovery—and back to the activities that you love. The goal is to return the patients to the quality of life they are expecting. Primary reasons why global patients flock to Gamma Knife Surgery hospitals in India can be put down in the following way:
High quality of private medical care
Low cost
English is widely spoken
Big pool of US & UK returned doctors & surgeons
Gamma Knife surgery in India is available in following cities with state of art facilities and best care:
Mumbai
Hyderabad
Kerala
Delhi
Pune
Goa
Bangalore
Nagpur
Jaipur
Chennai
Gurgaon
Chandigarh
Plan your Gamma Knife Surgery in India with Tour2India4Health:
Tour2India4Health Group is one of the leading medical tourism companies in India. It is pioneer in providing best healthcare services for Gamma knife surgery in India at low cost.
You just have to send us a query regarding your Gamma knife surgery and within 24 hours an assistant will contact you for further details and interaction.
From that point everything will be taken care of by that patient coordinator, like arranging VISA, accommodation, appointment with the doctor with round the clock services to make your medical tour hassle free.
We provide well qualified and professional doctors, surgeons, physicians, and medical staff who aid you in recovery from your ailment and ensure a safe and healthy journey back home.
So, Tour2India4Health Group renders a safe and beneficial alternative to the global patients who have faced the problems of long waiting lists and expensive medical treatments back home. And thus makes the medical services well with in the reach with sheer care and professionalism.
