In just 30 minutes, a new robot called ZAP-X can perform a brain tumor treatment that typically takes five hours of surgery, a day in intensive care, a week in the hospital, and eight weeks of rehabilitation. Developed by the European CyberKnife Center, ZAP-X uses over 100 photon beams to target and kill tumor cells without the need for anesthesia. The treatment is painless, and patients can go home immediately after the procedure. ZAP-X is already in use in China and the United States and has now been approved for use in Europe.
According to Professor Alexander Muacevic, the medical director of the European CyberKnife Center, ZAP-X is a non-invasive alternative to surgery that can successfully treat meningiomas, neurinomas, hypophyseal adenomas, vascular malformations, and metastases. However, the tumor must be no larger than 3.5 centimeters and cannot have spread. The robot is designed for tumors in the early and middle stages and can treat up to ten tumors at once.
ZAP-X uses the Multiple Tomography Angiography System (MTA) technology, which rotates around the patient and uses a cone-shaped aperture with different beam diameters to target the tumor. The robot has received CE approval for clinical use in Europe and FDA approval for use in the United States. The cost of the robot-assisted operation is around 7,500 euros, which is covered by private health insurance and the AOK Bayern. In comparison, a traditional operation costs around 10,000 euros without rehabilitation.
