In a remarkable medical breakthrough, Apollo Cancer Centre, Bannerghatta Road, has successfully treated a 30-year-old woman suffering from rare gelastic seizures, offering her relief after 25 years of persistent episodes.

🧠 Rare condition disrupted daily life

The patient had been experiencing 30 to 40 uncontrollable laughing episodes daily since childhood — a condition known as gelastic seizures. Despite multiple anti-epileptic medications and extensive neurological evaluations, her condition remained largely unmanageable.

Gelastic seizures are a rare form of epilepsy often linked to hypothalamic hamartoma, a benign brain tumour. Due to their unusual presentation, they are frequently misdiagnosed and difficult to treat with conventional methods.

⚙️ CyberKnife brings breakthrough relief

Doctors at Apollo Cancer Centre used CyberKnife technology, a highly precise and non-invasive robotic radiosurgery system, to target the seizure-triggering area in the brain.

The technology delivers radiation with sub-millimetre accuracy while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It continuously tracks movement and adjusts the radiation beam in real time, ensuring effective and safe treatment.

Following the procedure, the patient’s seizures reduced dramatically — from 30 episodes a day to just three episodes in an entire year.

💬 Experts highlight life-changing impact

Dr. Sridhar P S, Senior Consultant and Lead – CyberKnife at Apollo Cancer Centre, said the technology allows doctors to treat complex neurological conditions without surgery or anaesthesia, offering a painless and highly effective solution.

Dr. Gurucharan Adoor, Senior Consultant – Neurology, noted that such cases are among the most challenging due to their rarity and atypical symptoms. He emphasised that advanced treatment options like CyberKnife can significantly improve neurological stability and overall quality of life.

🌟 Hope for complex neurological conditions

The success of this case highlights the potential of advanced medical technologies in treating rare and difficult neurological disorders. CyberKnife is also being explored for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, trigeminal neuralgia, and cervical dystonia.

For patients who have struggled for years with limited treatment options, this development offers renewed hope and a chance at a more stable and fulfilling life.