Top class stereotactic radiosurgery in India

Do you know stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can save your life even when the tumor is present in such a critical position in the brain and spine where regular surgeries can’t be performed?

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a cutting-edge form of radiation therapy that delivers powerful and precisely targeted doses of radiation to small areas, effectively killing a small group of cells (tumor) without any surgery.  

SRS can easily target multiple tumors deep in the brain and doesn’t have risks and complications of surgery. It is also known as a painless treatment.

This advancement in technology has given a ray of hope for all tumors that were inoperable and patients were not having options but to wait for an end. Today, 95% of brain tumors are treatable irrespective of their position either by minimally invasive surgery or by stereotactic radiosurgery or a combination of both.

Let’s understand from the experience of Jonty, from Accra, Ghana.

Jonty is a 44-year-old football coach in a reputed club. Jonty was married and has a very caring wife Christy.  

Three years back, while Jonty was giving training to his team fainted and fell down, everything turned black. The team helped Jonty to come into consciousness and took him to the hospital for a checkup.

The doctor in the hospital did the physical examination and suggested Jonty do an MRI and blood test. As suggested Jonty did the test and the results of the MRI showed a tumor in the brain. Further tests confirmed it was a meningioma (a benign tumor) of 2 cm. 

Jonty and his wife Christy were totally in shock after listening to the news. Jonty also consulted a few neurologists and neurosurgeons and they have suggested surgery is not possible because of the position of the tumor. The risk was too high. The meningioma was located very close to the brain stem. 

Jonty’s best friend Sam suggested not to take any risk and visit India for the treatment. Sam forwarded MedicoExperts number to Jonty as Sam already visited India for her mother’s cancer treatment. 

Christy contacted MedicoExperts and forwarded all the reports of Jonty. MedicoExperts team after receiving the reports arranged the online video consultation with the most experienced neurosurgeons from its panel. The neurosurgeons explained the risks of neurosurgery and also recommended the advanced technologies to treat brain tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery which is non-surgical radiation therapy. Jonty understood the treatment and decided to come to India for the treatment.

After 16 days, Jonty and Christy came to India for treatment, and Jonty was admitted to the hospital on the same day. Pre-evaluation tests were performed to check the current condition of the tumor. The reports were in favor to start the stereotactic gamma knife surgery. Gamma Knife surgery is a non-invasive, computer-assisted procedure that delivers highly focused radiation to brain tumors.

Jonty responded very well to the treatment and his tumor started shrinking. After a couple of months, the revaluation tests were performed. The test results indicated that the tumor has shrunk and not regrown. 

Jonty and his wife Christy were very happy with the outcome of the treatment and thanked the doctor and MedicoExperts team.

This can be your story as well to win the battle against brain tumors even if you have a complex brain tumor at a very sensitive position. What you need is the right guidance, right treatment at the right time from the right experts.

Let’s understand what stereotactic radiosurgery is.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is an innovative technology that enables doctors to treat various anomalies using radiation. 

During stereotactic radiosurgery, X-ray beams are focused on the abnormal tissues through your skin. The precise exposure to X-rays distorts or destroys the DNA of abnormal cells by making them dormant or by initiating cell death.

The targeted focus of the X-ray radiation during radiosurgery ensures minimal damage to the healthy surrounding tissue. Also, with the help of stereotactic radiosurgery, your doctor reduces the risk of infection.

Stereotactic radiosurgery optimally uses highly advanced radiation technologies to destroy the target cells. 

The different technologies on which Stereotactic radiosurgery depends include:

• Highly focused Gamma-ray or X-ray: The focused delivery helps to converge the radiation on the tumor or abnormal cells, thereby destroying them. 
• Dedicated system: A dedicated system helps ensure proper positioning and immobilization of the patient during the procedure.
• 3D imaging and localizing technique: The 3D imaging technique helps your doctor determine the exact point of the targeted tumor.
• IGRT(Image Guided Radiation Therapy): IGRT enables your doctor to localize the tumor site using medical imaging techniques. Generally, tumor imaging is done before or during the procedure. Repeated imaging of the tumor helps improve the accuracy and precision of the treatment.

Stereotactic radiosurgery has emerged as a non-invasive and safe alternative to conventional treatment. This innovative approach is mainly advised for the patients having tumors but cannot undergo surgery, like:

• Tumor positioned in close approximation to vital body organs.
• Difficulty to reach the tumor

Stereotactic radiosurgery helps in treating:

• Brain Tumors like:
• Single, and multiple tumors in the brain and spinal cord
• Tumors developed in the intracranial, orbital, and at the base of the skull. 
• If the tumor persists after the surgery or treatment
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
• Neurological conditions like Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tremor, etc.

Stereotactic radiosurgery facilitates your doctor with surgical precision for treating small or difficult-to-reach abnormalities of the brain and spine. The targeted focus of the stereotactic radiosurgery reduces damage to healthy surrounding tissues.

The different types of stereotactic radiosurgery techniques in India depend on the equipment used. Typically, there are two basic kinds of equipment used for stereotactic radiosurgery in India are:

While radiosurgery is a non-invasive and comparatively safe procedure, not everyone can undergo it. You can be a suitable candidate for radiosurgery, if:

• There is a neurological condition/tumor which cannot get accessed surgically
• Your doctor was unable to remove the tumor through surgery.
• If you do not wish to undergo a surgical procedure.
• There is a recurrence or regrowth of the tumor.
• Your doctor has shown concerns about you getting administered anesthesia. 
• You can not undergo surgery due to underlying comorbidity.
• If you have undergone, any treatment and you still need additional treatment.

Studies suggest that non-invasive radiosurgery is a safe procedure that effectively helps to treat tumors of the brain and spine, atrioventricular conditions, and other nerve ailments. The advantages of non-invasive radiosurgery technique over conventional treatment are:

• Reduced damage to the surrounding muscles and neighboring healthy tissues.
• Minimal pain
• Minimal scarring.
• Reduced risk of infection
• Reduced recovery time
• Reduced rehabilitation time

If you’re considering stereotactic radiosurgery in India, you must choose a neurosurgeon/radiologist carefully, and thoughtfully. You must ensure that your doctor (radiologist/neurosurgeon) must have a precise and methodical approach in everything he/she does. 

Also, you must ensure that they communicate with you in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident about their skills and their plan of action.

Well, the best way to ascertain the best neurosurgeon/radiologist who is the best fit for you include:

• Is your doctor board-certified in their specialty?
• Did your doctor carefully attend to your concerns and your case history?
• If your doctor conducted a detailed neurological/radiological exam focused on your specific complaint?
• Did your doctor take time to educate you about your condition and upcoming procedure?

If the answers are yes then your doctor is a good neurosurgeon/radiologist for you.

The non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery involves cutting-edge technology that has emerged as a safe alternative to conventional treatment. Stereotactic radiosurgery requires advanced technology, precise imaging techniques, and well-trained healthcare staff.  

While choosing a hospital for stereotactic radiosurgery, search for a NABH and JCI certified hospital. Also, ensure that the hospital offers world-class healthcare services and is equipped with the latest devices.

Although the UK and USA have advanced hospitals that offer advanced stereotactic radiosurgery hospitals, the treatment in western countries may be a bit expensive.  

Unlike any western nations or other developed nations, the cost of stereotactic radiosurgery in India is almost half.

The access to world-class treatment at pocket-friendly prices has attracted many multinational citizens to India for their treatment. 

Apart from affordable prices and world-class facilities, the availability of well-trained doctors and healthcare staff also attracts many foreign nationals to India.

The Indian healthcare system boasts of well-trained neurosurgeons/radiologists, operative and post-operative care teams who are capable of handling complex cases.

What is the cost of non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery in India?

Non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery is a revolutionary surgical approach to treat tumors, atrioventricular diseases, and other nerve disorders. But have you ever wondered about the cost of stereotactic radiosurgery in India? 

Typically, stereotactic radiosurgery costs around USD 5,800 – USD 8,000 in India (439178 – 605764 INR).

However, the cost for stereotactic radiosurgery varies for every patient depending on various factors.

The average success rate for stereotactic radiosurgery treatment in India is about, 95.5%. 

Benign tumors generally shrink over 18 months to two years. 

However, it only takes a few months to shrink malignant cancerous tumors.

While the treatment for atrioventricular conditions may take around 2 years or sometimes even more.