Dr Rahul Gupta

Overview

Those who need to undergo brain surgery for tumor removal might get overwhelmed by the thought of having surgery. Fortunately, in recent times, there are medical treatments that can be used as an alternative to the open brain surgery approach. The Cyberknife and Gamma Knife are considered such options. Both are effective treatment options for those who do not want to endure the risk of conventional brain surgery. Here we’ve covered the difference between the two so that when the time comes, you can consider the differences to make an informed decision.

Differences between the Cyberknife and Gamma knife

Both Gamma-Knife and CyberKnife ( X-Knife) are advanced technologies, but they use different radiation delivery methods: the former uses Gamma rays and the latter uses X-rays. The primary goal of Gamma-Knife and Cyberknife is to destroy the tumor, with the same outcome as surgery but without the surgery.

Among the significant differences between them are:

• Gamma-Knife requires a large metal frame that is screwed onto the patient's head before and during treatment. However, X-Knife is a non-invasive and painless treatment. During the treatment, the patient lies comfortably on the bed.

• Unlike Gamma-Knife, X-Knife does not require local anesthesia during the procedure.

• In 1-5 radiation sessions, the X-Knife can treat tumors anywhere in the body. In contrast, Gamma-Knife can only cure brain or cervical spine cancer with a single high-dose treatment session.

How do they work?

To understand the differences between the CyberKnife and Gamma Knife treatment protocols, one must first understand how both procedures are carried out. While Gamma Knife requires a head frame, CyberKnife uses an extremely precise monitoring system to update the position of the body in real-time, allowing the CyberKnife robotics to accurately compensate for normal patient movement. This makes CyberKnife much more patient-friendly because it eliminates awkward head frames and other types of body movement restraints.

Because the Gamma Knife requires a head frame, imaging, planning, and treatment must all take place on the same day. While the patient is in the hospital with the mounted head frame in place, the treatment plan will be developed.

When the plan is complete, the patient is strapped to a table and given a single, powerful dose of radiation.

The CyberKnife treatment allows for greater flexibility in the elimination of cancerous cells. The treatment plan, as well as all imaging and scans, are completed days before treatment begins. Following the scans, the radiation oncologist and medical physicist will devise a personalized treatment plan. CyberKnife can be administered in one to five sessions because patients do not need a head frame. CyberKnife, like Gamma Knife, can treat tumors with a single, high dose of radiation, but this isn't always the best option. Clinical data shows that fractioned-dose radiation administered over two to five sessions produces better results for certain cancerous and non-cancerous conditions.

What are the conditions treated by Gamma Knife or Cyber-Knife?

• A brain tumor is commonly used in both malignant (brain metastases) and benign brain tumors (meningioma). If cancer spreads from the brain to other parts of the body, other treatment options are available (brain metastases).
• AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is a disruption in the arteries and veins of the brain that disrupts the normal flow of blood and causes bleeding (hemorrhage) or stroke.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder that prevents sensory information from being relayed between the brain and facial parts. It causes pain that feels similar to an electric shock.
• Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumor that typically develops in the hearing nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. Hearing loss is common in people with acoustic neuromas.
• The pituitary gland is in charge of hormonal control and regulates a variety of functions, including stress, metabolism, and sexual function. A pituitary tumor can be operated on with the Gamma Knife or CyberKnife.

How can we help with the treatment?

If you are in search of minimally invasive brain tumor surgery options in India, our medical trip advisors will serve as your guide throughout the treatment. They will be physically present with you even before the medical treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality medical tourism in India to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health trip advisors who will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.

Overview

Arteriovenous malformations are the result of abnormal blood flow to and around the body. This happens due to tangled blood vessels that cause abnormal connections with artery-to-vein. The arteries are responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. The oxygen-depleted blood is returned to the lungs and heart via veins. An AVM in the brain disrupts this critical process. Some people with brain AVM may experience several symptoms, like headaches and seizures. However, once diagnosed, a brain AVM should be treated right away to avoid developing further problems.

Here we’ve covered various brain AVM symptoms and the facts associated with brain AVM that you need to know about.

What causes an arteriovenous malformation?

What causes arteriovenous malformations is unknown. Some believe that they form during pregnancy, so you are born with one (they are congenital). Some cases have been reported in people who have suffered from head trauma or certain infections. AVMs are thought to be hereditary only in a few cases (run in families).

Also, read - 20 Things You Can Expect After Brain Surgery

Does AVM occur in other parts of your body?

Our bodies contain approximately 100,000 miles of blood vessels. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can form anywhere in your body, including your face, arms, and legs, as well as tissues and organs such as your heart, liver, lungs, genital, or reproductive tract. These are called peripheral arteriovenous malformations.

Also, read - Top 10 Best Brain Tumor Surgery Hospitals in India

Who is more prone to developing an arteriovenous malformation?

An AVM can happen to anyone. They are mostly found in people between the ages of 20 and 40. The risk of symptoms is greatest between the ages of 40 and 50. Males and females are equally affected by AVMs.

Also, read - Brain Tumour Symptoms - 7 Warning Signs You Should Know

What are the symptoms associated with brain arteriovenous malformation?

As mentioned earlier, you may or may not experience any specific symptoms of arteriovenous malformations. Often, the first sign you experience is after it bleeds.

The following are the neurologic symptoms that you may experience if you have an arteriovenous malformation.

• Headache
• Seizure
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Completer or partial paralysis
• Dizziness
• nausea - vomiting
• Numbness
• Tingling sensation
• Mental confusion
• Dementia
• Hallucinations
• Problems with speech, memory, and thinking
• Problems with balance or vision

A brain AVM can often irritate the surrounding tissues and trigger such symptoms. AVM symptoms can appear at any age, but they are most common between the ages of 10 and 40. AVMs in the brain can cause long-term damage to brain tissue. The effects gradually accumulate and frequently cause symptoms in early adulthood.

However, by middle age, brain AVMs tend to be stable and less likely to cause symptoms.

If you or your loved one is suffering from such symptoms, consult our medical trip advisors in India. They will guide you toward the best possible treatment for your needs.

Also, read - Brain Tumor Surgery Risk - Know The Complications After Brain Surgery

Does pregnancy increase the risk of developing symptoms in AVM patients?

According to research, pregnancy does not increase the risk of hemorrhage in people with a brain AVM. However, more research is required.

Also, read - Brain Tumor Detection using SVM

How can we help with the treatment?

If you are in search of arteriovenous malformation treatment in India, our medical trip advisors will serve as your guide throughout the treatment. They will be physically present with you even before the medical treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality medical tourism in India to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health trip advisors who will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.

Overview

Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, is one of the most common forms of head and neck cancer in India. This may appear as a growth or sore that doesn’t heal on its own. This includes cancers of the lip, cheeks, tongue, palate, the floor of the mouth, and pharynx as well. However, oral cancer can be cured if treated early. As per our oncologists, surgery is often considered the first line of treatment. Thanks to recent developments in cancer treatment, there are now more options available for treating oral cancer without surgery. We've covered a variety of non-surgical treatment options for oral cancer in this article.

The treatment plan that you need for oral cancer :

The treatment of oral cancer may depend on multiple factors. Your mouth cancer treatment will be determined by:

• The type and size of the tumour
• The grade and stage (how far it has spread)
• Your overall health
• If cancer has not spread beyond the mouth or the part of your throat at the back of your mouth (oropharynx), surgery alone may be enough to cure you.
• If the cancer is large or has spread to your neck, you may need a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Your doctors will make treatment recommendations with the assistance and advice of your entire care team, but the final decision will be yours.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that employs the use of chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given alone or can be given in conjunction with other cancer treatments. Chemotherapy may improve the efficacy of radiation therapy, so the two are frequently combined.

The side effects of chemotherapy may vary depending on the drugs used. Nausea, vomiting, and hair loss are some, to name a few. Inquire with your doctor about the potential side effects of the chemotherapy drugs you'll be given.

• Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy employs radiation doses to kill cancerous cells.

It is usually used after surgery to prevent cancer from returning in cases of mouth cancer.

It is frequently used as the first treatment for throat cancer, along with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).

Depending on the size of cancer and how far it has spread, the treatment is usually given every day for 6 weeks.

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is used to treat oral cancers that can’t be treated with surgery. Immunotherapy helps your immune system find and kill cancer cells. A type of medicine called checkpoint inhibitor acts by blocking the signals that stop white blood cells from attacking cancer cells.

While some people get rashes, others may experience itchy skin. You can always consult your doctor about the side effects of immunotherapy.

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT): If you have mouth lesions that are on the verge of turning into cancer, or if cancer is in its early stages and only found on the surface of your mouth, photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be recommended. However, it has not yet been compared to conventional treatment in terms of cure rate.

PDT can also be used to control cancer temporarily when it has been determined that further conventional treatment will not provide a cure or benefit. PDT entails taking a medication that causes all of your skin and other tissues to become sensitive to the effects of light. Cancerous tissue becomes even more vulnerable.

However, you should stay in a dark room for at least 7 days after therapy. Any amount of exposure to light might be harmful to you during this time. You may develop serious burns to your skin.

• Targeted therapy: a new kind of medicine called cetuximab is used instead of standard chemotherapy to treat oral cancer. This acts by targeting the protein in the cancer cells.

Usually, those who are not eligible to get chemotherapy( pregnant patients, patients with kidney disease) can opt for targeted therapy.

How can we help with the treatment?

If you are in search of oral cancer treatment in India, we will serve as your guide throughout the treatment. Our medical trip advisors will be physically present with you even before the treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality health care services to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health trip advisors who will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.

Overview

The first question you might ask your doctor after receiving a cancer diagnosis is about the side effects of chemotherapy, or "chemo." While chemotherapy drugs are useful enough for treating cancer, they might do a lot more than cure cancer. Chemotherapy can have a variety of unpleasant side effects, although many of them can be prevented once your treatment is over. Here we’ve listed various side effects of chemotherapy that you should know about.

• Tiredness: One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is tiredness (fatigue).

Many people undergoing treatment are tired most of the time or tire easily while performing daily tasks.

It can help to:

-Get plenty of sleep

-Avoid tasks or activities that you are not up to.

-If you're able, do some light exercise, such as walking or yoga, to boost your energy level; however, don't push yourself too hard.

-Request assistance from friends and family with daily tasks.

-If you work, you may want to request time off from your employer or work part-time until your treatment is completed.

• Hair loss: Chemotherapy can harm hair follicles, causing hair to become weak, brittle, and fall out. Any regrown hair may be of a different texture or color. This usually continues until the treatment is finished, at which point the hair almost always regrows.

• Easy bruising and bleeding: Chemotherapy can make you bruise or bleed more easily. This is a common side effect of chemotherapy, according to Trusted Source.

It is dangerous to bleed more heavily than usual. Precautions, such as wearing gloves when gardening or cutting food, are recommended. Take extra precautions to avoid injuries such as falls.

• Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can occur unexpectedly. These problems can occur immediately following each chemotherapy session or days later.

Changes in eating habits, such as eating fewer meals or avoiding certain foods, can be beneficial. Antinausea medications can also help, especially if the side effects occur at regular intervals, such as immediately after chemotherapy.

Also, read- Cancer Survival Rate & Life Expectancy

• Memory problems: During chemotherapy, some people experience difficulties with their short-term memory, concentration, and attention span. Routine tasks may take significantly longer than usual.

However, the effects may wear off once your treatment is over.

Also, read- Maintenance Therapy for Successful Cancer Treatment

• Anemia: Chemotherapy reduces the number of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body.

Anemia develops when your red blood cell count falls too low.

Anemia symptoms include:

-Tiredness and a lack of energy are more common than the general fatigue associated with chemotherapy.

-Breathing difficulties

-Heartbeats that are noticeable (heart palpitations)

-Pale complexion

If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your care team as soon as possible. You may require treatment to increase your red blood cell count.

• Sore mouth: Chemotherapy can cause soreness and irritation of the mouth lining. This is referred to as mucositis.

Symptoms typically appear a few days after treatment begins and include:

-Ulcers in the mouth

-Discomfort while eating, drinking, or talking

-Dryness in the mouth

• Sleep problems: Some chemotherapy patients have difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night and are unable to return to sleep. This is referred to as insomnia.

Also, read- Photodynamic Therapy - Most Successful Cancer Treatment

How can we help with the treatment?

If you are in search of cancer treatment in India, we will serve as your guide throughout the treatment. Our health trip advisors will be physically present with you even before the treatment begins. The following will be provided to you:

• Opinions of expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated care
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Arrangement for travel
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

We are dedicated to offering the highest quality medical tourism services to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health trip advisors who will be by your side from the beginning of your journey.