Hyderabad: Patients battling brain tumours may soon no longer need surgery, hospital stays, or even stitches. AIG Hospitals has announced that it will set up South India’s first ZAP-X radiosurgery system, an advanced, non-invasive brain treatment platform, by the end of this year at its Gachibowli campus.The system offers a scarless way to treat conditions like brain metastases, meningiomas, trigeminal neuralgia, and other non-cancerous brain conditions. Instead of using a surgical knife, the ZAP-X machine delivers precisely targeted radiation to tumours, without the need for anaesthesia or hospitalisation. Doctors say patients can walk in, receive the treatment like an outpatient, and leave the same day. “This means no pain, no ICU, no long recovery period,” said Dr Subodh Raju, head of neurosurgery at AIG. “It’s especially useful for those who are not fit for open surgery or have tumours that are difficult to reach.” The machine, developed by Dr John Adler, inventor of the CyberKnife, doesn’t use radioactive material and can be installed without a special shielded bunker, making it more accessible for hospitals and safer for patients and staff. It also allows for repeated treatments if needed, which is often a limitation with conventional methods. Currently, such technology is available in only a few hospitals around the world, and many Indian patients travel abroad to access similar care. “We see families raising funds online or flying to Singapore or the US for non-invasive brain treatment,” said a neurosurgeon familiar with such cases. “This could change that.” Though the system will only be operational later this year, the announcement has already sparked interest among patients with inoperable or recurring tumours. AIG Hospitals says it hopes to make the treatment more affordable and accessible in the long run, especially for those without options under traditional brain surgery.
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