State-of-the-Art Technologies Shrink New Jersey Man’s Brain Tumor
August 02, 2024
Anthony Scuorzo, 79, of Waretown, New Jersey, wasn’t about to let anything hamper the full life he embraces at a large Jersey Shore retirement community. He is the president of the largest Italian American social club in New Jersey and has overseen water volleyball, horseshoe, and softball clubs in his community.
So, when he began experiencing double vision last year, he quickly looked for an answer. He was soon diagnosed with a meningioma, a slow-growing tumor and the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Too large to be removed by surgery, Anthony underwent a revolutionary new treatment for it at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Jersey Shore is the first and only hospital in the world to combine two innovative technologies: ZAP-X® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery® with Synaptive’s Brain-Only Silent MRI. This technology was made possible by a very generous gift from the Golden Dome Foundation and Mrs. Mary Ellen Harris.
This next-generation stereotactic radiosurgery is incisionless radiation therapy that uses special equipment to position the patient and precisely administer a high-intensity dose of radiation to a tumor. It’s effective not only for brain tumors but also for other brain disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and more.
After five brief outpatient visits in October 2023, with a day off between sessions, Anthony’s tumor is still shrinking and is expected to continue to diminish, says Anthony’s radiation oncologist Timothy Chen, M.D. Dr. Chen is the medical director of the Central Nervous System Radiation Oncology program at HMH Southern Region and the director of the Proton Therapy Department of Radiation Oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health.
Life-saving Treatment Has No Pain
Dr. Chen cared for Anthony with the help of his colleague, Nitesh V. Patel, M.D., a neurosurgeon who specializes in neurosurgical oncology and is co-director of the Neurosurgical Oncology program.
“The radiation oncologist is responsible for dosing the radiation, and the neurosurgeon makes sure the targeting of the radiation is safe,” Dr. Patel says.
Anthony was delighted that his treatment would not involve pain, anesthesia or a confining, uncomfortable head frame to hold his head in place.
“The treatment made me a little tired, but that’s all,” Anthony says.
Anthony still has some double vision that is improving. It requires special glasses, he says, understanding that it might take a year for his vision to return to normal.
ZAP-X Spares Surrounding Tissue
Dr. Chen says the ZAP-X’s “gyroscopic mobility” allows it to guide radiation beams from thousands of potential angles with a precise and accurate concentration on the targeted area. Because ZAP-X targets so precisely, it spares surrounding tissue that is healthy or might have been affected by previous radiation.
Anthony’s tumor was close to his brainstem, which regulates most of the body’s functions that are essential for life, such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep. Because of the tumor's location, Dr. Patel says there was little margin for error. “Think of an orange with a seed in it,” he says. “We want to target only the seed.”
Treatment is Patient-Friendly and Efficient
Because of its domed appearance inside, Anthony and Dr. Chen agree the ZAP-X is comfortable and non-confining for the patient.
Another major advantage is that the Synaptive MRI allows the doctors to see much more precise and real-time imaging right before treatment begins. “And this MRI is quieter than a traditional one,” Anthony says.
With only approximately 20 ZAP-X sites globally, the team at Jersey Shore is thrilled to have the future-forward device as a new option for patients, says Dr. Patel.
“It’s a crucial step for all of us, and we hope it will help us advance our academic work and research,” he says.
Dr. Chen adds, “This is my dream machine, a wish list item that came true. We’re all fortunate to have this.”
Both doctors are encouraged by Anthony’s results so far. “He was always very upbeat, even when contemplating a new type of technology,” Dr. Patel says. “He has a strong sense of self and was quick to declare, ‘I’m all in!’”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our sources: Timothy Chen, M.D. and Nitesh V. Patel, M.D.
- To make an appointment with a neurosurgeon or radiation oncologist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
- Learn more about ZAP-X gyroscopic radiosurgery at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
