For the first time, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has used gamma knife radiation to treat retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, in two young children. The medical team expects to assess the outcomes in a couple of months and remains hopeful about the results.
A New Option When Chemotherapy Fails
As reported by TOI, retinoblastoma typically affects children under five and is usually treated through chemotherapy or surgery. However, in cases where conventional therapies fail, gamma knife radiation offers a promising alternative. This technique directs focused beams of radiation precisely at the tumour, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.
From Adult Eye Tumours to Childhood Cancer
Until now, AIIMS had used gamma knife radiation only for adult patients with choroidal melanoma, an eye tumour. The decision to extend its application to pediatric retinoblastoma marks a significant milestone. Over the past 3–4 years, AIIMS observed positive outcomes in adult cases, encouraging doctors to explore its potential in younger patients.
Potential First in India
According to Dr. Bhavna Chawla, Professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS, this use of gamma knife therapy for retinoblastoma may be the first documented case in India. While results are still awaited, she expressed optimism about the treatment’s potential.
She explained that in both cases, children had cancer in both eyes, and one eye had already been surgically removed. In such instances, parents were keen to preserve vision in the remaining eye, and gamma knife therapy offered a viable, vision-preserving option.
Quick, Non-Invasive Treatment
Dr. Chawla highlighted that the gamma knife procedure takes just one day. Patients arrive in the morning, undergo treatment, and return home by evening. Although it is not a surgical procedure, it involves high-precision radiation. Follow-up examinations under general anaesthesia help doctors evaluate tumour response and plan further treatment if needed.
A Rare Global Precedent
Globally, there is only one published study from Russia documenting the use of gamma knife radiation for retinoblastoma. If the AIIMS cases prove successful, they could form the basis for new treatment protocols and research publications, potentially changing how retinoblastoma is managed in India and beyond.
Cost and Access Under Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Both intra-arterial chemotherapy and gamma knife radiation are available under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, ensuring financial accessibility. Intra-arterial chemotherapy costs between ₹75,000 and ₹1 lakh per session and typically requires three to four sessions. In contrast, gamma knife treatment costs ₹75,000 and requires only one session, making it a cost-effective option for eligible patients.
However, gamma knife is currently reserved for cases where standard treatments have failed. Doctors are carefully selecting patients based on strict clinical criteria.
Precision Radiation with Multidisciplinary Coordination
According to Dr. Deepak Agrawal, neurosurgeon at AIIMS, the gamma knife technique uses highly focused gamma rays and is considered one of the most precise forms of radiotherapy, especially effective for treating brain and eye tumours.
To facilitate these paediatric cases, AIIMS is now adjusting its operating theatre schedules. The procedure demands close coordination among ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, anaesthetists, and the gamma knife unit, highlighting the complexity and collaborative nature of this breakthrough approach.