Neuro-Oncology & Radiosurgery Symposium

On 21^st May 2022, Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia organized the Inaugural Neuro-Oncology & Radiosurgery Symposium. This symposium was held over three days in two venues: The AICB Centre of Excellence and the Gamma Knife Centre in Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur. A total of 350 participants ranging from neurosurgeons, oncologists, general practitioners, radiation physicists, and postgraduate residents attended the event.

The symposium was officiated by Dato’ Dr. Asmayani Binti Khalib, Deputy Director-General of Health of Malaysia. Ms. Hoo Ling Lee, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, and Dato’ Dr. Kantha Rasalingam, President of the Neurosurgical Association of Malaysia also graced this event with their presence. The faculty consisted of many eminent international speakers including Prof. Jean Regis, Prof. Roberto Martinez Alvarez, Prof. Bengt Karlsson, Prof Dheerendra Prasad, Prof Yeo Tseng Tsai, and Prof Zachary A Seymour. Local experts in Gamma Knife radiosurgery who also shared their perspectives include Dato’ Dr. Jagdeep Singh Nanra, Dr. Regunath Kandasamy, and Prof Dato’ Dr. Fuad Ismail.

Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur organized this symposium to create awareness of the potential and benefits of Gamma Knife radiosurgery in treating brain cancers and a spectrum of other neurological conditions. This symposium also emphasizes the fundamentals of radiosurgery for the benefit of young neurosurgeons and residents alike. Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur embracing its status as a pioneer private medical centre in neuro-oncology and radiosurgery has taken on the responsibility to educate the medical community by organizing this international symposium. This is the first event of its kind by a private medical centre in Malaysia.

The first two days focused on lectures by international and local experts in the field. On the third day, participants were invited to Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur where they observed three live Gamma Knife procedures performed by our resident neurosurgeons and oncologist. They were also able to experience the Gamma Knife preplanning demo system, which was provided by our sponsors Abex and Brainlab.

Based on the Malaysian National Cancer Registry Report (2007 – 2016), there are 4,333 new cases of brain tumours, and the numbers are on the rise. Gamma Knife can be used to treat multiple brain metastases safely and its potential for treating various neurological conditions including functional disorders constantly expanding. Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur paved the way in the field of neuro-oncology by being the first private hospital to own the revolutionary Stereotactic radiosurgery machine known as Gamma Knife and have up to date treated 602 brain cancer patients non-invasively: the youngest patient being 8 years old and the oldest being 90. This achievement would not have been possible without the highly qualified and dedicated team of neurosurgeons, oncologists, nurses, and radiation physicists working together to ensure accurate and optimal treatment is given to each patient.