Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 2: Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology KMC Hospital Attavar now offers state-of-the-art 3D High dose rate brachytherapy with in vivo dosimetry. This allows accurate dose measurements and treatment delivery. This technology is first-of-its-kind in the Costal/Konkan region.
Brachytherapy is a form of Radiation therapy where radiation is given to the patient using medical radiation isotopes like Cobalt 60, Iridium 192 etc by placing hollow metal needles or plastic catheters either inside or on the surface of the body. Radiation is typically delivered over a few minutes once or twice daily over 1-3 days depending upon the type of tumour.
Placement of the hollow needles/plastic catheters requires short term general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia following which the actual treatment delivery is done in a conscious state. The treatment itself is painless. This kind of Radiation therapy gives very high doses of Radiation to small targeted areas in the body avoiding normal body structures.
Brachytherapy is usually used in conjunction with external beam Radiotherapy. It is indicated in cancers of female genital tract, head and neck cancers, oesophageal cancers, prostate cancers etc.
3D High dose rate brachytherapy was inaugurated by Shri Veda Vyas Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru City South. Dr John T Ramapuram, medical superintendent of KMC Hospital Attavar said, “KMC Hospital Attavar First Hospital in Dakshina Kannada District to start comprehensive cancer care centre. We will not compromise with the quality and KMC Hospitals has always been a pioneer in top quality medical care, be it equipment or competitive doctors as well as highly trained personnel comparable with the world class standards.”
Dr Ramakrishna Rao, district health officer DK, Dr Rajeshwari Devi, DMO, Wenlock District Hospital, Dr Savitha BS, superintendent, Government Lady Goschen Hospital, Dr M Haridas Paediatician Payyannur, Dr K G Bhat, general practitioner, Bhat Nursing Home, Uppinangady, Dr Jayagopal Tholpady, general practitioner, G V Pai Memorial Hospital, Moodbidri, Dr M V Prabhu, dean KMC Mangaluru, Dr P U Prakash Saxena, professor & HOD, department of Radiation Oncology were present.