Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai – India
About Dr. Balaji Subramanian
Dr. Balaji Subramanian is a highly skilled and leading radiation oncologist in India, known for his proficiency in advanced radiation technologies. With over 18 years of overall medical experience and more than 13 years dedicated to Radiation Oncology, he has established himself as an expert in High Precision Radiotherapy. He specialises in cutting-edge techniques such as SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy), CyberKnife (Frameless and Frame-based), and Hybrid VMAT. Dr. Balaji is deeply committed to research, specifically in dosimetric comparisons and sparing critical organs during radiation, ensuring the highest quality of life for his patients post-treatment. His international training in Berlin and extensive publication record make him one of the best cancer specialists in Chennai.
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS: Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur (2004).
- DNB (Radiation Oncology): Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai (National Board of Examinations, 2010).
- DMRT: Barnard Institute of Radiology and Oncology, Madras Medical College, Chennai (2005-2007).
- Advanced Training in High Precision Radiotherapy: Chartie Hospital, Berlin, Germany (2014) – Focus on Berlin RA/IMRT.
- Specialised Training: 3D-CRT, IMRT, IGRT, SRS, SBRT (CyberKnife), and Brachytherapy protocols.
Areas of Expertise
Major Cancer Types Treated
- Breast Cancer (Deep Inspiration Breath Hold techniques)
- Prostate Cancer
- Brain Tumours (Acoustic Schwannoma, AVMs)
- Cervical and Uterine Cancers
- Liver Tumours
- Esophageal Cancer
- Spine Tumours
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
- Preventive Oncology
- Medical Physics and Dosimetry
- CyberKnife Radiosurgery: For precise treatment of brain and spine tumours.
- Hybrid Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (h-VMAT): For Breast and Chest Wall irradiation.
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT).
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).
- Brachytherapy: For Gynaecological and Prostate cancers.
Professional Experience
Current & Past Hospital Affiliations
- Current Affiliation: Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai.
- Past Affiliations:
- Senior Specialist, Radiation Oncology, Royal Hospital (Ministry of Health), Oman.
- Consultant, Kasthuri Hospital, Chennai.
- Senior Resident, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.
- Senior Resident, Madras Medical College, Chennai.
- Pioneered the use of Hybrid VMAT with Deep Inspiration Breath Hold for breast cancer patients, significantly reducing radiation dose to the heart and lungs.
- Instrumental in conducting dosimetric comparison studies between Linac-based systems and Robotic Radiosurgery (CyberKnife), influencing treatment planning protocols.
- Successfully managed complex cases of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Arteriovenous Malformations using Stereotactic Radiosurgery.
- Active contributor to clinical research with numerous publications in high-impact journals like the Journal of Medical Physics and The Spine Journal.
- Member, National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).
- Member, European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO).
- Member, Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) – National & Tamil Nadu Chapter.
Awards & Recognitions
Recognitions & Honors
- Recognised for "High Precision Radiotherapy" implementation in clinical practice.
- Invited Faculty and Speaker at various AROI state and national conferences.
- Awarded membership to the prestigious National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).
Research & Publications
Published Papers in Medical Journals
- Hybrid Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy With Deep Inspiration Breath Hold for Hypofractionated Bilateral Breast Irradiation: Coming Together is a Beginning (International Journal of Radiation OncologyBiologyPhysics, 2020)
- Hybrid volumetric modulated arc therapy for chest wall irradiation: For a good plan, get the right mixture (Physica Medica, 2018)
- Sparing dysphagia/aspiration related structures using novel hybrid volumetric modulated arc therapy (European Journal of Medical Physics, 2017)
- Radiation therapy for Breast Cancer: Literature Review (Medical Dosimetry, 2016)
- Bilateral Breast Irradiation Using Hybrid Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (h-VMAT) Technique: A Planning Case Report (Cureus, 2016)
- Dosimetric comparison of volumetric modulated arc versus fixed-beam intensity modulated radiotherapy in advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix (The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2015)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery Results in 3 Cases of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Arteriovenous Malformation (The Spine Journal, 2014)
- A study on rectal dose measurement in phantom and in-vivo using Gafchromic EBT3 film in IMRT and CyberKnife treatments of Cancer Prostate (Journal of Medical Physics, 2013)
- Dosimetric comparison of Linac-based (BrainLAB) and robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife) stereotactic system plans for acoustic schwannoma (J Neurooncol, 2011)
Patient Success Stories & Testimonials
Notable Cases Handled
- Dr. Balaji Subramanian is celebrated for his work with CyberKnife Radiosurgery. He has successfully treated patients with difficult-to-reach acoustic neuromas, preserving their hearing and facial nerve function. Additionally, his expertise in Hybrid VMAT for bilateral breast cancer has allowed numerous women to undergo radiation with minimal side effects to the skin and underlying organs.
- "I was diagnosed with a spinal tumour and was terrified of paralysis. Dr. Balaji Subramanian suggested CyberKnife treatment. The procedure was painless, and I was back home the same day. His precision and knowledge gave me a second life. He is truly the best radiation oncologist in Chennai."– S. Raghavan
- "Dr. Balaji treated my mother for cervical cancer. His approach is very detailed; he explained the entire IMRT process to us. The side effects were managed so well under his care. We are grateful for his kindness and expertise."– A. Joseph
- "I underwent radiation for prostate cancer with Dr. Balaji. He used a technique that spared my healthy organs, and I have had no major complications. His training from Germany really shows in his advanced approach."– K. Nair
Treatment Approach & Philosophy
Patient-Centred Care
- Dr. Balaji focuses on "Organ Sparing" strategies. His philosophy revolves around delivering maximum radiation dose to the tumour while rigorously protecting the surrounding healthy tissues (like the heart in breast cancer or rectum in prostate cancer). He believes in Preventive Oncology, educating patients on lifestyle changes to prevent recurrence.
- As a top CyberKnife specialist in India, Dr. Balaji leverages robotic radiosurgery and Hybrid VMAT to treat tumours with sub-millimetre accuracy. He constantly integrates findings from his research into clinical practice to improve dosimetric outcomes.
Treatment Costs
Radiation therapy costs depend on the number of fractions (sessions) and the technology used (CyberKnife and SBRT are generally more expensive than conventional radiation). For appointment booking and to get a personalised cost estimate, you can connect with the Cancer Rounds team.
| Treatment / Procedure | Approximate Cost (INR) | Approximate Cost (USD) |
| IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) | ₹1,50,000 - ₹2,50,000 | $1,800 - $3,000 |
| IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy) | ₹2,00,000 - ₹3,00,000 | $2,400 - $3,600 |
| CyberKnife / SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) | ₹3,50,000 - ₹5,50,000 | $4,200 - $6,600 |
| SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) | ₹3,00,000 - ₹4,50,000 | $3,600 - $5,400 |
| VMAT (RapidArc) | ₹1,80,000 - ₹2,80,000 | $2,160 - $3,360 |
International Patient Assistance
Language Support
- The Cancer Rounds team provides linguistic assistance to international patients, ensuring they fully understand the radiation protocols and safety measures explained by Dr. Balaji Subramanian.
- Cancer Rounds facilitates the medical visa process, airport transfers, and assists in finding accommodation near Gleneagles Global Hospital for patients undergoing long-term radiation schedules.
- Patients can share their PET-CT scans and pathology reports with Cancer Rounds to schedule a video consultation with Dr. Balaji, allowing for a preliminary treatment plan before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Dr. Balaji Subramanian is considered a leading radiation oncologist in India with over 18 years of experience. He is particularly renowned for his expertise in high-precision technologies like CyberKnife and VMAT.
Hybrid VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) is an advanced radiation technique that Dr. Balaji Subramanian has extensively researched and published on. He uses it, especially for breast cancer, to optimise dose delivery and spare critical organs like the heart and lungs.
Yes, Dr. Balaji is an expert in CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery. He has undergone specialised training and has published research comparing CyberKnife plans for acoustic schwannoma and prostate cancer, making him a top choice for this treatment in Chennai.
You can book an appointment with Dr. Balaji Subramanian by contacting the Cancer Rounds team, who will handle the scheduling and provide necessary guidance.
Dr. Balaji treats a wide spectrum of cancers including Brain tumours, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Cervical cancer, Liver tumours, and Spinal AVMs using radiation therapy.
No, despite the name, CyberKnife is a non-invasive radiation treatment, not surgery. Dr. Balaji uses this technology to deliver high doses of radiation to tumours with extreme precision, often in just 1 to 5 sessions.
Dr. Balaji completed his DNB at Apollo Speciality Hospital and received advanced training in Berlin RA/IMRT from Charite Hospital in Berlin, Germany. He also trained at the prestigious Barnard Institute of Radiology in Chennai.
Yes, Dr. Balaji regularly treats patients from across the globe at Gleneagles Global Hospital. Cancer Rounds assists these patients with all logistical and medical coordination.
DIBH is a technique used by Dr. Balaji during breast cancer radiation. It involves the patient holding their breath to move the heart away from the chest wall, significantly reducing radiation exposure to the heart.
Yes, apart from cancers, Dr. Balaji uses Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) to treat benign conditions like Acoustic Neuromas (Schwannomas) and Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) in the brain and spine.
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