About Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Key Highlights
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Non-Invasive: No surgical incisions or opening of the skull (craniotomy).Extreme Precision: Targets lesions with sub-millimeter accuracy, sparing healthy tissue.Minimal Discomfort: Performed under local anesthesia; patients are typically awake.listrongShort Hospital Stay:/strong Usually an outpatient procedure or requires only a 1-day stay./lilistrongRapid Recovery:/strong Most patients resume normal activities within a few days./lilistrongProven Efficacy:/strong High success rates for controlling tumors and vascular malformations./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Benign Brain Tumors (e.g., Acoustic Neuroma/Vestibular Schwannoma, Meningioma, Pituitary Adenoma).
- Malignant Brain Tumors (e.g., Metastatic brain tumors, Gliomas).
- Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) of the brain.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia (severe facial pain) unresponsive to medication.
- Certain types of Epilepsy (focal seizures) originating from a well-defined area.
- Some functional disorders like Parkinson's disease tremor (in specific cases).
How to prepare
- Consultation & Imaging: Detailed consultation with the neurosurgeon and team. High-resolution MRI and/or CT scans are performed for precise treatment planning.
- Frame Placement: On the day of the procedure, a lightweight stereotactic head frame is attached to the skull under local anesthesia to ensure absolute accuracy.
- Medical Review: Review of medications; some (like blood thinners) may need to be paused.
- Fasting: Typically, fasting for a few hours before the procedure is advised.
- Comfort: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and arrange for transportation home.
Risks & possible complications
- Swelling (Edema): Temporary swelling of the treated brain area, which may cause headaches or neurological symptoms, often managed with medication.
- Radiation Necrosis: Rarely, treated tissue may break down, sometimes requiring additional treatment.
- Hair Loss: Possible temporary, localized hair loss at the treatment entry points.
- Fatigue: Common but temporary side effect following the procedure.
- Neurological Changes: Small risk of new or worsening neurological deficits related to the treatment area.
- Delayed Effects: Radiation effects can continue to develop over several months.
- Failure to Control: The lesion may not shrink or stop growing as intended.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate Post-Procedure: The head frame is removed. Patients are monitored for a few hours for any immediate reactions.
- At Home: Rest is recommended for 1-2 days. Mild headache or fatigue is common and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers (as advised by the doctor).
- Activity: Most patients can return to light, normal activities within a day or two. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a week.
- Follow-Up: Crucial follow-up MRI scans are scheduled (e.g., at 3, 6, and 12 months) to monitor the treatment's effect.
- Symptom Monitoring: Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms like severe headaches, seizures, or weakness to their doctor immediately.
- Long-Term: The full effect of the radiation and tumor shrinkage/control occurs gradually over weeks to months.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (typically outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-3 days for normal activity; full effect observed over 3-12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering gamma knife radiosurgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for gamma knife radiosurgery in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Cytecare Hospital, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform gamma knife radiosurgery. MediFyr helps you compare neurosurgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for gamma knife radiosurgery compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 250 Thousand – 500 Thousand | 0-1 days (typically outpatient) | ~ 1-3 days for normal activity; full effect observed over 3-12 months | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 875 Thousand – 1.75 Million | 0-1 days (typically outpatient) | ~ 1-3 days for normal activity; full effect observed over 3-12 months | Know More |
Top hospitals for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurosurgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery.
Pari Saxena, a 42-year-old classical dancer...
Pari Saxena, a 42-year-old classical dancer and teacher from Mumbai, began experiencing debilitating vertigo and a persistent ringing in her right ear that made it impossible to focus during her performances. An MRI revealed a small acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma), a benign tumor on the nerve connecting her inner ear to her brain. The thought of traditional brain surgery, with its risks of facial paralysis and hearing loss, terrified her, as her art depended on balance and expression. Her neurosurgeon recommended Gamma Knife radiosurgery, explaining it could target the tumor with pinpoint radiation while preserving her facial nerve and remaining hearing. On the day, Pari found the procedure surprisingly straightforward, lying still with a fitted frame while the machine worked around her, feeling nothing. In the weeks that followed, she managed some fatigue but avoided major surgery's physical trauma. Follow-up scans over the next year showed the tumor had stopped growing and began to shrink. Emotionally, she moved from a place of fear, worrying her career was over, to immense relief and gratitude. She returned to teaching, the tinnitus gradually fading, feeling she had been given her life back without a scalpel ever touching her.
Neurosurgeons for Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Explore experienced neurosurgeons who regularly perform gamma knife radiosurgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 17 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurosurgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada