In a groundbreaking development, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has introduced gamma knife radiosurgery to address eye tumours like choroidal melanoma, diverging from conventional practices.
Traditionally utilized for brain tumours, gamma knife surgeries are now being leveraged by AIIMS New Delhi as the sole institution in India offering this treatment for intraocular tumours, located within the eyeball.
A senior official at the hospital emphasized the novelty of this approach, stating, “We have recently initiated gamma knife treatment and have observed promising results in tumor control, particularly in cases unsuitable for conventional eye-saving therapies like plaque brachytherapy.”
While choroidal melanoma exhibits a low global incidence rate, AIIMS reports a recent rise in cases. Dr. Deepak Aggarwal, Professor at the Department of Neurosurgery, noted, “Although rare, being a referral center, we encounter 2 to 3 cases monthly.”
AIIMS has conducted gamma knife procedures on 15 patients thus far, with 80% experiencing no post-surgery complications. The remaining 20% required additional interventions to manage complications.
Dr. Bhavna Chawla, Professor of Ophthalmology at RP Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi, underscored the gravity of choroidal melanoma, identifying it as the most prevalent primary intraocular cancer in adults. “It poses a life-threatening risk, with the potential for metastasis,” she cautioned.
Addressing the procedure’s affordability, Dr. Chawla explained that it costs Rs 75,000 and involves a minimal team comprising one or two ophthalmologists and a neurosurgeon. The surgery, administered under local anesthesia, entails eye preparation followed by the fixation of a frame on the skull for gamma knife treatment.
While private hospitals often employ gamma knife treatment for brain tumors, the costs can soar up to Rs 5 lakh. However, the surgery is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, inclusive of surgery and lifelong follow-up for tumor surveillance. Dr. Aggarwal highlighted, “Two out of the 15 patients received free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.”
