Raipur: In a major breakthrough for cancer treatment, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur successfully implemented the Intraluminal Brachytherapy, providing renewed hope to a 58-year-old patient.
This novel procedure, known for its efficacy in local tumour-bearing areas, significantly reduces doses to critical organs, marking a pivotal advancement in cancer treatment.
The patient, diagnosed with Carcinoma Oesophagus of the middle one-third, sought further assistance at AIIMS Raipur’s Radiation Oncology Department.
In a complex scenario where surgical intervention wasn’t viable as the tumour encircled aorta and concurrent chronic obstructive lung disease, an alternative approach was sought. Initially undergoing external beam radiation therapy at the department for a four-week duration, follow-up scans exhibited near-complete resolution of the primary cancer.
Subsequently, the decision was made to administer additional radiation through Intraluminal Brachytherapy.
The head of radiation oncology department, professor Siddhartha Nanda, said, “This marks a pioneering initiative at AIIMS Raipur’s Radiation Oncology Department. Intraluminal brachytherapy not only minimises critical organ exposure but also delivers a high dose precisely to the localised tumour area, offering a ray of hope to oesophagus cancer patients.”
The meticulous pre-planning was conducted by the team at the radiation oncology department, led by Nanda, alongside Dr Shiv Shankar Mishra, senior resident, Dr Swaroopa, junior resident, and Arun, medical physicist.
Collaborating with the surgical team, comprising Dr Debajyoti Mohanty, head of surgery, and Dr Chetan Anand, for the placement of a brachytherapy applicator under endoscopic guidance and local anaesthesia, the patient underwent a planning CT scan at the department of radiation oncology before the treatment.
The brachytherapy plan was crafted using the Oncentra Brachytherapy planning system.
Upon plan approval, the patient underwent radiation dose administration through an HDR Brachytherapy machine at the brachytherapy suite, and was discharged in a stable condition. The subsequent treatment is scheduled after one week.
Director professor, Dr Ajai Singh extended congratulations to the collaborative team for their concerted efforts in providing relief to the patient.
