Day: August 9, 2025

Aalst – AZORG hospital in Aalst, under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Bral, has become the first facility in Flanders to implement the Gamma Knife, a cutting-edge radiation technology that treats brain conditions non-invasively, reports 24brussels.

VRT News indicates that this pioneering device allows for the targeted treatment of various brain issues, including both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, without surgical intervention. The Gamma Knife utilizes concentrated radiation beams that converge on the affected area, preserving nearby healthy brain tissue.

The introduction of this technology significantly enhances treatment capabilities, enabling doctors to address complex cases such as blood vessel abnormalities, chronic pain, and Parkinson’s tremors, while also holding promise for mental health treatments.

AZORG Hospital’s Groundbreaking Brain Treatment Technology

Health officials assert that the Gamma Knife facilitates multiple simultaneous treatments, extending its efficacy to areas previously deemed too risky for conventional surgery. This advancement enables patients to avoid lengthy recoveries and return home more promptly, thereby improving overall care quality. AZORG is now positioned to attract patients from both Belgium and abroad seeking these advanced treatments.

“In addition, there are few to no side effects associated with the treatment and patients can often return home the same day, without a long recovery period,”

Dr. Bral, Medical Head of Radiotherapy at AZORG, emphasized the efficiency of the Gamma Knife’s process. On the treatment day, a specialized frame is fitted to the patient’s head, followed by MRI imaging to accurately identify the treatment site. Collaboration between brain surgeons and radiation specialists is crucial to determining the precise area for radiation delivery.

Once the target is established, a medical physicist develops a strategy outlining how to apply the radiation beams precisely to the identified spot, which is then reviewed and approved by the radiation oncologist prior to treatment commencement.

“Everyone on the team, from the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist to the physicist and nurse, knows their responsibilities,”

Dr. Bral reiterated that this team’s coordinated effort is vital to ensure optimal and safe treatment for each patient.

The acquisition of the Gamma Knife was made possible through a recent merger, with plans to equip the Moorselbaan campus with five modern radiation rooms by April 2026. AZORG aims to establish itself as a leading institution for radiotherapy in Flanders, enhancing its capacity to treat brain and cancer patients with state-of-the-art technology and expert personnel.

Concurrently, UZ Leuven has also introduced advanced radiosurgery technology to streamline treatment for brain disorders, reflecting a broader trend in Belgian healthcare aimed at modernizing radiotherapy facilities and enhancing patient care, minimizing risks while accelerating recovery times.