When traditional chemotherapy isn’t enough, surgeons sometimes turn to targeted, local delivery of drugs to fight aggressive brain tumours. Recently, a team in Jaipur implanted medicated wafers (Gliadel®) directly into the brain of a patient — an approach that delivers chemotherapy straight to the tumour bed and reduces systemic exposure. Read the Times of India coverage of the Jaipur case here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/docs-implant-wafers-in-brain-for-chemotherapy/articleshow/92068817.cms. The Times of India

Who is Dr. Anil Kothiwala?

Dr. Anil Kothiwala is a neurosurgeon based in Jaipur, trained with advanced neurosurgical qualifications (MBBS, MCh) and known for endovascular, minimally invasive brain and spine procedures. He has served as a consultant at Rajasthan Hospital and appears in local medical listings and practitioner profiles. Practo+1

What are implant (Gliadel) wafers and how do they work?

Gliadel wafers are biodegradable polymer discs impregnated with the chemotherapy drug carmustine. During surgical removal of a brain tumour, the surgeon places up to several wafers into the cavity left behind. Over days the wafers slowly dissolve and release the drug locally — exposing residual tumour cells to chemotherapy while limiting the drug’s circulation through the rest of the body. This method has been studied as an adjunct to surgery and radiation for high-grade gliomas. Cancer Research UK+1

Why this matters for patients

• Targeted therapy: Local delivery concentrates the drug where it’s needed most. Cancer Research UK
• Reduced systemic toxicity: Because less drug circulates through the whole body, some systemic side effects can be lower than with full-dose IV chemotherapy. PMC
• Adjunct to surgery: Wafers are used when the tumour is resected but microscopic disease likely remains; they are not a standalone cure but part of multi-modality care. IJASHNB

Risks and considerations

Like any medical procedure, intracranial drug-releasing wafers carry risks. Reported complications include local brain swelling (edema), infection, wound-healing problems, and, rarely, neurological deficits related to local inflammation. The decision to use wafers is case-by-case and balances expected benefit vs risks. Patients should discuss indications, alternatives and expected outcomes thoroughly with their neurosurgeon and oncology team. PMC+1

The Jaipur case — local implementation of a global technique

The Times of India article describes doctors in Jaipur implanting medicated wafers in a 40-year-old patient, illustrating how global neuro-oncology techniques are being adopted in regional centres. This is an example of advanced, multidisciplinary care reaching more patients outside major metro hospitals. For details of that specific case see the TOI report.