When someone is told that a tumour is located in the brain, the word “surgery” can immediately create anxiety. Many people naturally imagine a conventional operation involving an incision, hospitalisation and a lengthy recovery.
But there is another approach used for selected brain and skull-base conditions: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS).
Despite the word surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive radiation treatment. Instead of physically removing a tumour, highly focused radiation is delivered to a precisely defined target. Depending on the condition and treatment plan, SRS may be delivered in a single session, while closely related stereotactic radiotherapy approaches may use several sessions.
For patients searching for Stereotactic Radiosurgery Therapy in Dwarka, it is important to understand that SRS is a specialised treatment and is not appropriate for every brain tumour or every patient. A detailed evaluation by a radiation oncologist and, where appropriate, a multidisciplinary neuro-oncology team is essential.
Dr Mohit Kadian is a Consultant in Radiation Oncology whose official hospital profile lists MBBS and MD qualifications. His listed areas of training include modern radiation techniques such as SRS, SRT, stereotactic SBRT, IMRT, IGRT and VMAT.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a highly precise form of radiation treatment.
Unlike conventional surgery, there is no surgical incision involved. Instead, radiation beams are directed at a specific target from multiple directions. The beams converge at the treatment area, allowing a high radiation dose to be delivered to a precisely defined lesion.
The surrounding healthy tissues are considered carefully during treatment planning.
SRS is most commonly associated with selected conditions involving the brain and skull base. Depending on the individual case, it may be considered for certain brain metastases, benign tumours and other intracranial lesions.
Research examining SRS practice in India has reported its use in conditions including brain metastases, meningioma, acoustic neuroma and pituitary tumours.
However, having a condition that can sometimes be treated with SRS does not automatically mean SRS is the right choice. The decision requires individual assessment.
Conventional radiation therapy is often delivered in multiple sessions over several weeks.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is different because it is designed to deliver a highly focused dose to a small, well-defined target.
The treatment may be completed in a single session in appropriate cases. If the treatment needs to be divided into several sessions, the approach may be called stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, depending on the treatment plan.
The choice between conventional radiation, SRS and SRT depends on several factors.
These can include:
This is why an SRS consultation should begin with the diagnosis rather than with the technology.
SRS may be considered for selected patients with certain intracranial conditions.
Potential applications can include:
Cancer from another part of the body can sometimes spread to the brain. For selected patients with a limited number of appropriately sized brain metastases, stereotactic radiation may be considered.
The decision depends on factors such as the number and size of lesions, their location, the patient's overall health and the status of cancer elsewhere in the body.
Meningiomas are tumours that arise from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Many meningiomas are slow-growing and may be managed with observation, surgery or radiation depending on their size, location, growth and symptoms.
SRS can be an option for selected meningiomas, particularly when a lesion is small and appropriately located.
Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a benign tumour involving the nerve associated with hearing and balance.
Depending on the tumour's size, growth and symptoms, management may involve observation, surgery or stereotactic radiation.
Selected pituitary tumours may also be treated with stereotactic radiation in specific circumstances.
The appropriate treatment depends on the tumour type, size, hormonal activity and relationship with surrounding structures.
These are examples rather than a complete list. A specialist must determine whether SRS is appropriate for an individual patient.
The brain contains many critical structures packed into a relatively small area.
A tumour may be located close to the optic nerves, optic chiasm, brainstem or other important neurological structures.
This makes treatment planning particularly important.
Before SRS, the treatment team needs detailed imaging to define the target and understand its relationship with nearby anatomy.
Venkateshwar Hospital's Radiation Oncology department lists frameless stereotactic radiosurgery, PET/MRI fusion-based radiation planning, image-guided treatment and six-dimensional patient correction among its specialised radiation services.
The hospital's Neuro Oncology service also describes access to 3 Tesla MRI, CT, PET-CT, radiation therapy equipment and neuro-navigation, with neurosurgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology involved in the care of brain tumour patients.
The treatment does not begin simply by placing the patient on a radiation machine.
A considerable amount of preparation goes into stereotactic treatment.
The radiation oncologist reviews the patient's medical history, pathology where applicable and previous treatment.
MRI is commonly important when evaluating intracranial lesions.
Additional imaging may be required depending on the clinical situation.
The treatment team identifies the lesion that needs to be treated.
The surrounding critical structures are also identified.
A computerised treatment plan is developed to determine how radiation should reach the target.
The objective is to deliver the prescribed dose accurately while respecting dose limits for nearby normal tissues.
Before treatment is delivered, the plan undergoes appropriate verification and quality-assurance procedures.
The patient is positioned carefully, imaging and positioning systems are used as appropriate, and the radiation is delivered according to the approved plan.
This detailed process is one reason why stereotactic radiosurgery is considered a precision treatment.
No.
SRS does not involve a conventional surgical incision.
The term radiosurgery refers to the way a high radiation dose is precisely delivered to a target rather than to the use of a surgical blade.
This distinction can be reassuring for patients who have been advised to consider SRS.
However, “non-invasive” does not mean that SRS is a casual or risk-free procedure. It remains a specialised medical treatment requiring careful patient selection and planning.
For appropriately selected patients, stereotactic radiosurgery can offer several practical advantages.
The radiation is concentrated on a carefully defined target.
Some patients can complete treatment in a single session rather than attending for conventional radiation over several weeks.
SRS does not require an open operation.
Some SRS treatments can be performed without a prolonged hospital stay. Manipal Hospitals' Dwarka SRS service, for example, describes SRS as a focused single high-dose radiation treatment and an outpatient service.
However, the actual treatment setting depends on the individual patient and the treatment plan.
Not always.
SRS and surgery are different treatment options, and sometimes they complement one another.
Surgery may be preferred when:
SRS may be considered when:
There are also situations where surgery is followed by radiation.
The decision should be made after reviewing the patient's imaging and overall condition.
Like all cancer treatments, SRS can have side effects.
The risk depends on the location and size of the treated lesion, radiation dose, nearby structures and individual patient factors.
Some patients may experience temporary symptoms such as fatigue, headache, nausea or swelling around the treated area.
There can also be less common or delayed effects.
Patients should ask their radiation oncologist about the risks specific to their lesion rather than relying on general information from the internet.
If a patient develops new neurological symptoms after treatment, the medical team should be contacted promptly.
The radiation delivery itself is generally not felt.
There is no cutting or burning sensation associated with the radiation beam.
However, patients may experience discomfort from the positioning equipment or immobilisation system used during treatment.
The treatment team explains the procedure beforehand and helps the patient remain appropriately positioned throughout treatment.
The overall appointment can take longer than the actual radiation delivery because positioning, imaging and verification are important parts of the process.
In some cases, the radiation itself may take only part of the treatment appointment.
If a patient is receiving fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy instead of single-session SRS, several treatment visits may be required.
The radiation oncologist can provide a more accurate estimate after reviewing the patient's treatment plan.
The terms can sometimes be confusing.
SRS generally refers to stereotactic radiation delivered in a single session.
SRT refers to stereotactic radiation delivered over multiple sessions.
There is also fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, where the total radiation dose is divided into several treatments.
The reason for dividing treatment into multiple sessions may relate to the size, location or characteristics of the target and the need to protect nearby normal tissues.
The decision is made by the treating radiation oncology team.
For a patient undergoing cancer treatment, location is more than a matter of convenience.
There may be consultations with neurosurgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology, along with repeat imaging and follow-up appointments.
For families living in Dwarka Sector 6, Sector 10, Sector 12, Sector 13, Sector 17 and Sector 18, access to specialist oncology services within Dwarka can reduce travel requirements.
Patients from nearby areas including Palam, Dabri, Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri and Najafgarh may also find Dwarka a practical location for specialist cancer care.
Venkateshwar Hospital's cancer centre is located in Sector 18, Dwarka, New Delhi, and its Radiation Oncology department lists Dr Mohit Kadian as a Consultant.
For brain tumours, the hospital also describes a Neuro Oncology service involving neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists.
Dr Mohit Kadian is listed as a Consultant in Radiation Oncology at Venkateshwar Hospital. His official profile lists MBBS and MD qualifications, and his radiation oncology training includes SRS, SRT, stereotactic SBRT, IMRT, IGRT and VMAT.
For a patient considering stereotactic radiosurgery, the most important part of the consultation is not simply determining whether SRS is available.
The doctor needs to determine whether it is appropriate for that particular lesion.
This requires consideration of imaging, tumour characteristics, previous treatments and the patient's overall condition.
If you have been referred for stereotactic radiosurgery, bring as much of your previous medical information as possible.
Ideally, this includes:
The actual imaging files can be particularly important. A written scan report alone may not provide enough information for detailed treatment planning.
Before agreeing to SRS, patients should understand why it has been recommended.
Ask what features of the lesion make stereotactic treatment appropriate.
Find out whether you are being considered for single-session SRS or fractionated SRT.
In some cases, surgery may be more appropriate. It is reasonable to ask why one approach is preferred.
Ask about both short-term and delayed side effects.
This can help you understand why treatment planning is particularly important.
Ask when follow-up MRI or other imaging will be required.
Patients with metastatic cancer may also be receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy, so coordination between specialists is important.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a highly precise radiation treatment that delivers a concentrated dose to a defined target, most commonly within the brain or skull base. Despite its name, it does not involve a conventional surgical incision.
Yes. SRS services are offered by cancer centres in Dwarka. Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, describes a stereotactic radiosurgery service for selected intracranial and skull-base lesions. Venkateshwar Hospital's Radiation Oncology department also lists frameless SRS among its specialised services.
Yes. Dr Mohit Kadian is listed by Venkateshwar Hospital as a Consultant in Radiation Oncology, with MBBS and MD qualifications.
His official hospital profile lists SRS and SRT among his radiation oncology training and expertise, along with IMRT, IGRT, VMAT and stereotactic SBRT.
No. SRS is a non-invasive radiation treatment and does not involve the type of surgical incision used in conventional brain surgery.
Not necessarily. Single-session treatment is generally referred to as SRS, while stereotactic treatment delivered over several sessions may be called SRT or fractionated SRT.
SRS may be considered for selected brain metastases, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, pituitary tumours and other intracranial lesions. Suitability depends on the individual case.
The radiation itself is not generally felt. Patients may experience some discomfort from positioning or immobilisation equipment.
Yes. Although it is highly precise, SRS can still cause side effects. The risks depend on the treatment location, dose, lesion characteristics and individual patient factors.
Recovery varies between patients. Because SRS does not involve a conventional surgical incision, recovery can be different from open brain surgery. Your treating team can advise you about work, travel and other activities based on your specific treatment.
Detailed imaging, particularly MRI for many intracranial conditions, is commonly important for defining the treatment target. Additional imaging may be required depending on the diagnosis.
In selected patients, stereotactic re-irradiation may be considered. However, previous radiation dose and the location of the earlier treatment are critical factors, so specialist assessment is essential.
A search for Stereotactic Radiosurgery Therapy in Dwarka can be the starting point for an important medical decision. SRS is a highly specialised form of radiation treatment, but it is not automatically the best option simply because it is newer or more precise.
The right approach depends on the patient's diagnosis, the size and location of the lesion, its relationship with critical structures, previous treatment and the overall goal of therapy.
Dr Mohit Kadian is a Consultant in Radiation Oncology with MBBS and MD qualifications, and his official hospital profile lists training in SRS, SRT, stereotactic SBRT, IMRT, IGRT and VMAT.
For patients living in Dwarka, Palam, Dabri, Janakpuri, Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri and Najafgarh, accessing specialist radiation oncology services in Dwarka can also make consultations and follow-up more manageable.
If you or a family member has been advised to consider radiosurgery, take your MRI scans, pathology reports and previous treatment records to the consultation. A radiation oncologist can assess whether SRS, SRT, conventional radiation, surgery or another treatment approach is more appropriate.
The goal should not simply be to find the most advanced-sounding procedure. The goal is to find the right treatment for the individual patient.
Dr Mohit Kadian provides Radiation Oncology consultation for patients seeking specialist cancer treatment guidance in Dwarka.
