Apollo Hospitals Group on Friday launched the ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery Platform which the hospital claims can play a revolutionary role in the brain tumour treatment.
According to the doctors, ZAP-X introduces a new era in brain tumor treatment, offering patients a non-invasive, pain-free alternative with sessions lasting just 30 minutes. With minimal radiation exposure, this technology has 0.5mm accuracy level.
Unlike conventional methods, ZAP-X utilizes a self-shielded, gyroscopic linear accelerator design, to direct radiosurgical beams from thousands of potential angles, accurately focusing radiation on the intended tumor or target.
The innovative method improves patient outcomes by enhancing the ability to avoid critical structures like the brain stem, eyes, and optic nerves, while also drastically minimizing exposure to healthy brain tissue to safeguard a patient’s cognitive function. However, radiation necrosis which is the death of healthy tissue caused by radiation therapy, can occur in rare circumstances.
ZAP-X is currently installed at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. Dr. Sudheer Tyagi, Senior Consultant, Neurosurgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital told Financial Express.com that the treatment can cost around Rs.4-5 lakhs and the patient can leave after 30-60 minutes after observation period. Meanwhile, follow-up treatments can depend upon the type of diagnosis and the status of tumour, he said.
The hospital claims that ZAP-X’s proven clinical capabilities will enable neurologists and neurosurgeons to treat Primary and Metastatic Brain tumors, Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs), Trigeminal Neuralgias, Movement Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Epilepsy and other intracranial lesions such as meningiomas, acoustic neuromas and pituitary adenomas, with better accuracy and fewer side effects to patients.
“For more than four decades, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of healthcare, continuously challenging limits to provide exceptional care. Upholding this tradition, we have unveiled ZAP-X, an innovative technology designed for the treatment of brain tumors. This new approach allows for non-invasive, pain-free sessions lasting 30 minutes, with minimal exposure to radiation. ZAP-X also comes with advanced safety protocols, including instant error detection and reduced radiation leakage, that ensure the patient’s well-being and quality of life post treatment. Furthermore, as an outpatient procedure it allows for greater convenience and accessibility for patients. We commit to ensure that this technology is made available for every citizen of our country and for people across geographies, as this will be a boon for how brain tumors are approached and treated. With the rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), ZAP-X will be a new addition in our fight against NCDs, of whom cancers, form a significant portion,” Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, Founder Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said during the launch today.
The ZAP-X technology comes with key advantages which include it being non-invasive, thereby not requiring a surgical intervention for certain brain tumors, is pain-free; and offers frameless, pinpoint accuracy and real-time image guidance for shorter treatment durations and enhanced patient safety.
ZAP-X demonstrates high success, ensuring effective control and relief for various conditions with minimal side effects. It achieves over 95% control rate in 10 years with minimal facial or trigeminal side effects. ZAP-X shows an exceptional 99.4% control rate in 5 years for small, defined tumors, the hospital claims.
“Stereotactic radiosurgery is among the most important medical advancements of the past century. Eligible patients no longer must experience debilitating surgical resections, or potentially lose cognitive capacity by undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy. Instead, with ZAP-X radiosurgery, patients can now be quickly treated in an outpatient setting and often return to normal activities the same day with no incisions, and no pain,” Prof. John R. Adler, Founder and CEO, Zap Surgical and Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine said during the press conference today.
While traditional brain surgeries last 3-4 hours, ZAP-X completes treatment within a single session lasting no more than 30 minutes. ZAP-X allows for a day-care procedure, enabling patients to return home post-treatment, unlike traditional surgeries requiring 4-7 days or more of hospitalization, and without the necessity of anesthesia.
