Karachi: Over 300 brain tumour patients treated at JPMC using latest technology

[Naveed Yaseen]

For the first time in Pakistan, the treatment of brain tumour has become possible through Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery technique at Neuro-spinal and Medical Institute (NMI), Karachi.

This was stated by Prof. Sattar M. Hashim, the head of Neurosurgery at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

He said that a machine for Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery was installed at the NMI in May 2008. Over 300 patients have received treatment from this institution, he added. Brain tumour treatment is conducted through certain radiations instead of surgery. This technique of treatment does not affect the brain cells, he said.

“During treatment, the patient is laid the on machine without turning him unconscious and this process takes one to two hours. Symptoms of brain tumour in the initial stages are headache and memory loss,” he said. “The incidence of brain tumour in Pakistan is rising. The cost of the machine for this treatment is Rs400m.” He said 50 patients were treated for free last year, adding that Hashim Trust was founded to provide free treatment to poor patients.

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