Cases of Brain and CNS cancer are rising rapidly. According to a report published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, brain cancer ranked 13 in India, with more than 31,000 cases diagnosed in the year 2020. Tumors affecting CNS and brain are relatively tough to treat and caused over 26,000 deaths in 2020.
The traditional treatment plan for treating brain tumors revolved around chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and brain surgeries. But now, a newer stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) technique called ZAP-X is available in India, all thanks to Apollo Hospitals Group.
Around 2 million people are recognized as potential candidates for noninvasive stereotactic radiosurgery, but due to the high costs and complexity of previous SRS systems, only 200,000 patients receive such treatment. This scenario can be changed with the help of ZAP-X, as it is a cost-effective alternative to traditional radiosurgery techniques.
ZAP-X is a first-of-its-kind radiosurgery system intended to treat benign and malignant intracranial and spinal lesions. Apollo Hospital, Delhi, becomes the first hospital in India to collaborate with ZAP Surgical Systems, offering this latest radiosurgery technique for the first time in South Asia.
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History of ZAP-X
ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. is the designer and manufacturer of the ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery™ Technology. John R. Adler, MD, professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University, is the founder & CEO of ZAP Surgical Systems. He developed ZAP-X in 2014. Dr. Adler also invented the popular CyberKnife technology that has transformed the lives of millions of patients. ZAP’s mission is to bring best-in-class radiosurgery to over 2 million patients worldwide that are currently underserved.
What is ZAP-X?
The ZAP-X has brought new hopes to brain tumor patients. It has the potential to become an alternative to invasive brain surgery. The technology incorporates a unique vault-free design that obviates the need for costly shielded treatment rooms.
The ZAP-X system is a dedicated, self-contained, and self-shielded radiosurgery system. It has the ability to deliver high doses of radiation to brain tumors as well as tumors of the head & neck with pinpoint accuracy.
What are the Advantages of ZAP-X Technology?
ZAP-X is a novel noninvasive procedure for cancer treatment. It helps radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons to deliver high-precision radiation.
Other advantages of ZAP-X include:
- Self-Shielded: ZAP-X is a vault-free radiosurgery system. It eliminates the need for complex and costly radiation bunkers. The technology has made SRS more feasible for patients as it can be set up at any location, such as physician offices, satellite facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers.
- Real-Time Image Guidance: ZAP-X has a high-definition kilovolt (kV) imaging system that provides intra-fraction image guidance and smooth realignment throughout the treatment.
- LINAC-Based: ZAP-X uses linear accelerator technology (LINAC) to deliver precise non-coplanar radiation doses. It eliminates the need for live radioactive sources. It also reduces the burden of regulatory licensing and recurring replacements.
- SRS-Optimized: ZAP-X has revolutionized the SRS technique by reducing radiation leakage, decreasing radiation scatter, and sharpening the beam penumbra.
- Better Economic: ZAP-X has significantly lower facility, system, and operating expenses compared to other radiosurgery techniques. This makes it reachable to a broader population of doctors and patients.
Can ZAP-X Treat Your Condition?
ZAP-X received approval from the FDA in 2017. It has established itself as an excellent therapeutic option for treating several disorders like
- Brain Metastasis
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Meningioma
- Cerebral AVM
- Recurrent Glioma
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
How Will You Get Treated With ZAP-X?
ZAP-X radiosurgery involves five basic steps. After the initial consultation and simulation, treatment planning is done to cater specific needs of the patient. The therapy is given on treatment day, and the patient is discharged on the same day. Post-treatment follow-up is also required to monitor the progress.
- Initial Consultation: A consultation with a Neurosurgeon or Radiation Oncologist is the first step of the ZAP-X therapy process to determine if treatment is right for you. Medical records and imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans are reviewed, and a physical examination is conducted. If you are a candidate for ZAP-X, an appointment for simulation is scheduled.
- Simulation is the next step in the ZAP-X treatment process that allows the team to identify the exact size and location of the area where radiation is to be delivered. It is done by taking CT Scans using IV contrasts while wearing a custom-fit pliable mesh mask. The simulation session does not require any special preparations and is 30 to 45 minutes long.
- Treatment Planning: The treatment planning team consisting of Neurosurgeons and Radiation Oncologists uses CT scan images from simulation day and makes a customized treatment plan for each patient. The dose of radiation, duration, and number of sessions are decided specifically for the patient on the basis of the type and stage of the tumor.
- Treatment Day: On the day of therapy, you will lie on the ZAP-X treatment table. The Radiation Therapist will position you for accurate delivery of the prescribed radiation dose. Precise beams of radiation are given to the target area. The process usually takes 30 minutes, and much of the time is utilized in the correct positioning of the patient. The therapy is performed without sedation. You can also interact with the therapist using an intercom during the therapy.
- Post-Treatment Follow-up: You will be required to visit the hospital for follow-up. MRI and other imaging techniques will be used to check the progress of the treatment. Any complications arising after the treatment are also addressed in the follow-up visits.
What is the Difference between ZAP-X and Open Brain Surgery?
- Open brain surgery, also known as craniotomy, involves cutting the scalp bone and exposing the brain tissue. It requires hospital admission and an overnight stay. The patient can also develop surgery-related complications.
- Whereas ZAP-X is done on an outpatient basis, requiring no anesthesia, scalpels, or incisions. It eliminates the need for invasive head frames and has a shorter treatment duration.
Conclusion
The ZAP-X technology is a revolutionary SRS technique designed to optimize the treatment of head & neck diseases and certain brain tumors. With its unique gyroscopic motion, the ZAP-X system has broken new ground in modern radiosurgery. It has combined self-shielding technology with very high precision, representing the next progressive step in noninvasive tumor treatment.
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