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Gamma Knife Treatment in Delhi | Step-by-Step Brain Surgery Guide

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Today we’re going to talk about one of the most advanced brain treatment options available at AIIMS Delhi – Gamma Knife.

Gamma Knife Treatment Guide
Gamma Knife Treatment Guide
    1. Introduction
    2. What is Gamma Knife?
    3. Neurosurgery OPD Registration at AIIMS Delhi
    4. Pre-Treatment Evaluation
    5. Admission Process
    6. Day Before Treatment Preparation
    7. Day of Gamma Knife Procedure
    8. Post-Treatment & Follow-up
    9. Cost & Facilities at AIIMS Delhi
    10. Conclusion & Next Steps

Suppose you or your loved one has been advised of Gamma Knife treatment. In that case, this video will guide you through the entire process step by step, starting from the Neurosurgery OPD registration, consultations, investigations, admission, and finally the treatment itself. So, let’s begin!

Let’s start with What is Gamma Knife?

Gamma Knife is a highly advanced form of radiation therapy that allows doctors to treat brain disorders without open surgery. It uses focused beams of radiation to precisely target abnormal tissue in the brain, such as tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), trigeminal neuralgia, and some functional disorders, while sparing healthy brain tissue.

Where to Start with patient has to first visit Neurosurgery OPD at AIIMS.

To get Gamma Knife treatment at AIIMS Delhi, the journey starts from the Neurosurgery OPD. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Register at AIIMS OPD – Either online through the AIIMS website or at the OPD counters. You will receive an OPD card for Dr. Deepak’s OPD is on Monday & Thursday (Timings)
  • Consult Neurosurgery OPD – Visit the Neurosurgery OPD on the assigned day. The doctors will examine you, review your medical history and scans like MRI or CT, and then decide whether Gamma Knife is suitable for your condition.
  • Referral to Gamma Knife Unit – If you are found suitable, the neurosurgery team will refer you to the Gamma Knife Centre located near the Cancer building at AIIMS.

Then the next step is Pre-Treatment Evaluation

Before the procedure, you may be advised to undergo certain investigations and imaging tests such as an MRI brain, a CT scan, or angiography, depending on the type of disease. These scans help doctors plan your treatment with high precision.

Then comes the Admission Process

Once your case is confirmed, you’ll be given a date for admission. And mostly the date of admission varies by 1-2 months. Patients are admitted on the same day as their treatment.

The admission is done in the Gamma Knife Centre itself.

Some Formalities need to be completed before getting the date of GK. The patient has to go to the Gamma Knife reception, and they have to complete the payment facilities. For BPL, they have a few government schemes available too. After you are done with the payment process, you get the date.  Next is you have to come one day before the treatment date in the Gamma Knife, where the Junior doctor will do a detailed history & examine the patient.  (Suppose the patient gets the date of Monday, they need to come on Saturday to the GK for their detailed history examination.) A few investigations need to be done before the treatment, which can be done from any lab near their home. Investigations are urea, creatine blood test, CT, and MRI; they can be done on the same day or one day before the treatment, which completely depends on the doctor. Patients do not need to come fasting; they can have a light breakfast. If the patient is diabetic or hypertensive, they can have their medicines and come for the treatment. 

Then comes The Day of Gamma Knife Procedure

On the day of treatment, here’s what typically happens step by step:

  • Head Frame Placement – A lightweight frame is fixed on your head with the help of local anesthesia. This frame acts as a guide for accurate targeting.
  • Imaging – You’ll undergo an MRI or a CT scan with the frame on. These images are then uploaded into the Gamma Knife software for precise planning. Sometimes the MRI will be done prior to frame fixation
  • Treatment Planning – Neurosurgeons and physicists plan the exact radiation dose and angles. This may take 1–2 hours.
  • Treatment Session – You’ll lie down on the Gamma Knife couch, and the machine will deliver radiation beams to the targeted area. The treatment is painless and can last from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the case.
  • Post-Treatment – After the session, the head frame is removed, and a discharge note is prepared for all cases. Patients can go home the same day

Now, let’s talk about the After Treatment process

After Gamma Knife treatment, follow-up is very important. You’ll be advised to repeat scans at regular intervals usually after 1 year and 2 yearly subsequently to check the response. And at AIIMS you need to take the date of your next follow-up MRI on the day of your GK treatment itself. Also if you are once treated, then next follow-ups and for lifetime your MRI scans are free of cost.

Most patients can return to normal activities within a day or two. There are usually no stitches, no long hospital stays, and no major recovery period like open surgery.

Cost & Facilities at AIIMS

The best part is that at AIIMS Delhi, Gamma Knife treatment is available at a very affordable cost compared to private hospitals. It is just Rs 75,000/-.
The treatment is carried out by highly experienced neurosurgeons and radiation specialists with state-of-the-art facilities.

So, that’s the complete step-by-step process of getting Gamma Knife treatment at AIIMS Delhi from the Neurosurgery OPD to the treatment day and follow-up.

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If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comments below. Thank you for watching, and take care!

Full Article: Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment in AIIMS Delhi | Gamma Knife Procedure Explained | TV Health

About Dr Deepak Agrawal

Deepak Agrawal born 10 November 1970, is a professor neurosurgery at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi is one of the top 10 surgeons in the neurosurgery. During his stint as chairman computarization, he transformed the ICT processes at AIIMS, New Delhi and also helped patients in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi to get a Unique Health Identification (UHID), which documents their entire journey in the hospital. He also pioneered stem cell research in Spinal cord injury in India. Dr. Agrawal has pioneered DREZotomy technique for neuropathic pain in India and has refined the procedure to make it safer and more accessible to patients. [Wikipedia: Deepak Agrawal]

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You May Also Know Related to Gamma Knife
FAQ’s

Gamma Knife uses 192–201 precisely focused beams of gamma rays that converge at a single target point in the brain. This high dose of radiation damages the DNA of abnormal cells, stopping their growth or causing them to shrink, while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissue.

No, Gamma Knife is not a traditional surgery. It is a non-invasive outpatient procedure performed without any incision, stitches, or general anesthesia in most cases.

Gamma Knife is commonly used for:

Brain tumors (benign and malignant)
Metastatic brain lesions
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
Trigeminal neuralgia
Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas)
Pituitary tumors
Certain functional disorders (like tremors)

The procedure is generally painless. Patients may feel mild pressure while the head frame (if used) is applied or may experience slight discomfort from anesthesia injections, but the treatment itself is not painful.

Depending on the condition and treatment plan, Gamma Knife may take 30 minutes to 3 hours. Most patients go home the same day.

Common side effects are usually mild and temporary, including:

Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Mild scalp swelling or tenderness at the frame site
Rarely, some patients may experience delayed radiation effects such as brain swelling or radiation necrosis.

Most patients can return to their normal routine within 24–48 hours after the procedure.
You may feel mild fatigue for a few days.
Follow-up imaging is usually required after 1 year.

Gamma Knife has a high success rate and has been used worldwide for decades. Its effectiveness depends on the condition treated, size and location of the lesion, and overall patient health. In many cases, it offers results comparable to open surgery with fewer risks.

Yes, in some cases Gamma Knife treatment can be repeated if the disease recurs or if new lesions develop.

Yes. Gamma Knife is considered one of the safest and most precise forms of radiosurgery, with millions of patients treated globally and extensive clinical data supporting its use.

Eligibility depends on factors such as:

Size and location of the lesion
Overall health and age
Whether open surgery is too risky
A neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist will decide if Gamma Knife is the best option for you.

A detailed MRI or CT scan is performed to map the brain.
A lightweight head frame or mask is used for accuracy.
Your doctors plan the radiation dose and target areas using specialized software.

Local anesthesia is given if a head frame is used.
General anesthesia is usually not required, except for children or patients unable to remain still.

Costs vary depending on hospital, city, and condition treated. On average, Gamma Knife in India ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. It is usually more affordable compared to treatment in Western countries. At AIIMS Delhi, it is much more affordable around ₹75,000 which makes it affordable for the patients in need.

AIIMS Delhi is one of the leading centres for Gamma Knife in India.

AIIMS uses the latest Gamma Knife Perfexion system.

It has successfully treated thousands of patients for brain tumors, blood vessel problems, and even eye cancers.

The treatment is done by expert neurosurgeons such as Dr. Deepak Agrawal and team.

Clinic timings for Gamma Knife OPD at AIIMS Delhi: Monday & Friday, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.

Cost is around ₹75,000 and is subsidized compared to private hospitals.

The whole procedure is usually done in one day:

  • Consultation & Planning – Doctors review your scans and decide the treatment.
  • Head Frame/Mask – A lightweight frame or mask is placed to keep your head still.
  • Imaging – MRI/CT scans are done to locate the exact target.
  • Treatment Planning – Specialists plan the dose and direction of radiation.
  • Gamma Knife Treatment – You lie on the machine; painless radiation beams treat the target (30 mins–3 hrs).
  • Recovery & Discharge – The frame is removed, and most patients go home the same day.
  • Follow-up – MRI after a few months to check results.

Before you get a treatment date, you need to complete a few steps:

  • OPD Registration – Visit the Neurosurgery OPD (Gamma Knife clinic at AIIMS, Mon & Fri 8–9 AM) and register.
  • Consultation with Doctor – Meet the neurosurgeon who will check your reports, MRI/CT scans, and medical history.
  • Investigations – Sometimes fresh MRI/CT or blood tests are needed for treatment planning.
  • Medical Fitness – Basic checks like blood pressure, sugar, heart condition, etc.

Financial/Insurance Approval –

  1. If using Ayushman Bharat or government schemes, you need approval papers.
  2. If self-paying, you will be given the estimated cost (~₹75,000 at AIIMS).
  • Consent & Admission Slip – Once doctors confirm you are fit and formalities are done, you sign the consent form.
  • Treatment Date Allotment – A date is given for your Gamma Knife procedure.

Once you receive your Gamma Knife date, you’ll need to do a few simple things before the procedure:

  • Admission Process – Report to AIIMS on the morning of your procedure and complete admission at the Neurosurgery ward/Daycare.
  • Paperwork – Carry your OPD slip, MRI/CT films, blood test reports, admission slip, and ID proof. If you are covered under Ayushman Bharat/insurance, keep those approval papers ready.
  • Consent Forms – You (or a family member) will sign consent for the procedure and anesthesia.
  • Medical Check-up – Doctors will check your BP, sugar, heart rate, and do a quick physical exam.
  • Fasting – Usually, you will be asked to not eat or drink for 6 hours before the procedure.
  • Pre-Procedure Prep – An IV line may be put, and medicines (sedation/antibiotics if needed) are given.
  • Treatment – You are then taken to the Gamma Knife room for frame/mask placement, imaging, and treatment.

After the procedure, you’ll be observed for a few hours and most patients are discharged the same day or next morning.

Urea & creatinine

No, You can have light breakfast.

Yes, you can take the medicine and then come for the treatment.

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