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 Procedur:
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 headframe 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 Procedure:
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.
Advantages 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 radiosurgical procedures for the brain
Gamma Knife technology 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 the negative side effects include things like nausea and headaches, both of which are usually related to the application and removal of the head brace required for the operation of the gamma knife’s guiding system.
Temporary imbalance, numbness and physical weakness are also side effects that can occur as a result of gamma knife treatments.
These complications and risks are usually minimal.
Cost of Gamma Knife Surgery in India:
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
Gamma Knife Surgery India:
India is the most sought option for international patients, as they get quality treatment at reasonable price. Cost is not the only concern the services that the patients get is benchmarked and incomparable. So, patient prefers getting the gamma knife surgery done in India. Some of the reasons are:
Indian Government keeps providing incentive and guide line for the benefit of tourists and patients, by making more ready and targeted knowledge delivery and information provision for international patients.
With patient safety as priority, the government, ensures, strict compliance to the international health standards.
Medical Tourism, also known as Global Health, is one of the fastest growing industries in Global Healthcare to seek out affordable and high quality medical care.
The hospitals in India are among the most advanced medical outsourcing facilities in the world, with specific programs carefully designed to attract medical tourisms.
The major goal of medical tourism is to provide quick and professional health care service to local and international patients.
India offers low cost treatment option that attracts a huge crowd of international patients.
So, India echoes a safe and beneficial alternative to those patients who have faced the problems of long waiting lists and expensive medical treatments back home. And a great opportunity to make India the most preferred medical destination and compelling reason of medical facilities well with in the reach.
Gamma Knife Surgery in India- Plan with Dheeraj Bojwani Group:
Dheeraj Bojwani 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.
Gamma Knife surgery in India is available in following cities;
Mumbai
Hyderabad
Kerala
Delhi
Pune
Goa
Bangalore
Nagpur
Jaipur
Chennai
Gurgaon
Chandigarh
Some of the common countries from which patients travel to India for surgery are:
USA
UK
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Kenya
Ethiopia
Uganda
Tanzania
Zambia
Congo
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Nepal
Uzbekhistan
ABOUT INDIA
Located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bangladesh, India is South Asia's largest, sovereign, democratic republic. India has an edge over other countries when it comes to offering comprehensive, cost-effective and timely medical care: it also offers an exotic, adventure-filled or cultural -if you wish array of destinations to discover and revel in for the travelers. Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Goa, Bangalore, Nagpur, Kerala, Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh offers best medical tourism service.
Mumbai - Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. This port city (India's largest and busiest) accounts for a major share of the government's revenue, and has one of the world's largest harbour. There are many things to love about Mumbai. One is simply the geographical names, like The Queen's Necklace and Elephanta Island, all with roots in the British Empire.
Hyderabad - Also known as City of Nizams. The city of Hyderabad has its own individual character, which is evident in the beautiful, ancient palaces and the equally modern, and state-of-the-art offices and buildings. Medical tourism at hospitals in Hyderabad combines care for your health with international tourism. The primary reason behind its surging popularity is better healthcare services at an affordable budget.
Goa - Popularly known as the ‘Rome of the East’, Goa boost of natural, magnificent churches and exquisite works of man. Plunge into the clear blue water of the large pool, or soak in the blissful sunshine on the picturesque island. Goa is an interesting location for getting your health propped up and getting those long postponed surgeries done. You have modern facilities, short waiting times and very affordable prices for procedures, hospital services and medicines.
Bangalore - The progressive and modern city of Bangalore is the state capital, being located within India's Karnataka state. Bangalore is often referred to as the country 'Garden City', due to its high concentration of parks and green spaces. Bangalore has few of the world’s best doctors and medical practitioners, who have been trained by the rigorous Indian medical education system as well as in countries like UK and USA.
Nagpur - Nagpur City has many distinctions. It is also the second greenest in India and is located at the very center of the heartland, almost equidistant from Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi and Mumbai. The present city was founded in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince of the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district. The Nagpur District has a varied culture, as well as being in the central part of India, the market in Nagpur is flooded with products from all over India. Nagpur has few of the world’s best doctors and medical practitioners, who have been trained in countries like UK and USA.
Kerala - Natural beauty, clean air and primordial greenery amidst the vast expanse of water and sky, typifies the state of Kerala – better known as God's own country. Kerala is famous for its alternative medical therapies such as Ayurveda, which help to rejuvenate and revitalize the body. The region is also home to India’s only virgin tropical rain forest – the Silent Valley National Park, supporting an overwhelming range of life forms, many of which are highly endangered, and endemic to this part of the planet.
Delhi - "Welcome to The Capital City of India - New Delhi" Delhi is famous as Capital city of India is located in North India. Delhi is truly a symbol of the old and the new; a blend of ancient well preserved monuments and temples along with jam-packed burger joints and up market shopping malls. Delhi has state of the art Hospitals and the best qualified doctors.
Pune - Once referred to as the Oxford of the east, Punecontinues to be a stronghold for academics and culture. An array of factors like availability of efficient and experienced doctors, comparatively low treatment costs, hospital facilities of international standards and many more have made Pune one of the top destinations for medical tourism.
Jaipur - Jaipur is one of the most popular destinations on a tourist's itinerary. The magnificent forts, beautiful havelis and colourful bazaars make Jaipur a popular tourist destination among tourists. Jaipur has pioneered health and medical tourism in India.
Chennai - Chennai is one of the most developed urban centers in the Indian subcontinent. The city forms the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. They have some of the very best hospitals and treatment centers in the world. Each hospital is equipped with state of the art facilities. The technology brought into practice is the very latest, including robotic surgery.
Gurgaon - Located in the National Capital Region, Gurgaon is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Greater Delhi. In the last few years Gurgaon has boomed as the hub of IT and other new-age businesses. Gurgoan is the latest destination for Medical Tourism in India as it is the latest modern upcoming city near Delhi.
Chandigarh - Located near the foothills of Shivalik range of the Himalayas, Chandigarh is one of the most beautiful and happening cities of India. Chandigarh has great potential for Medical tourism as the unpolluted and excellent environs give many opportunities to patients to recover from their illness.
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