Delhi cancer institute launches advanced Brachytherapy services

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) has started brachytherapy services, an advanced form of radiation treatment that delivers high doses of radiation directly to tumours while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, officials said on Friday. The institute said it successfully performed its first brachytherapy procedure on June 9 and formally announced the availability of the service on Friday. Brachytherapy involves placing a radioactive source inside or in close proximity to a tumour, enabling targeted delivery of radiation while limiting damage to healthy tissues. The treatment is particularly effective for cancers of the cervix, endometrium and certain other malignancies, the institute said. Dr Savita Arora, Link Officer to the Director of DSCI, said the successful completion of the institute's first brachytherapy procedure marked a significant milestone in expanding comprehensive cancer care. "The successful completion of our first brachytherapy case is a landmark achievement for the Institute. The introduction of this service will ensure that cancer patients receive safe, timely, and comprehensive treatment under one roof, further strengthening DSCI's commitment to quality cancer care," she said. Dr Pragya Shukla, Head of the Department of Clinical Oncology, said brachytherapy is an integral component of modern radiation oncology and the new facility would allow patients to receive highly precise, evidence-based treatment without having to be referred to other centres. The institute said the service will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team comprising radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation technologists, anaesthesiologists, nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. As part of its efforts to strengthen patient care, the institute also started Dental OPD services on June 23 and operationalised a second operating theatre on June 18, enabling patients to access a wider range of services within the hospital. PTI SGV APL APL