— 42-year-old patient recovers fully after life-saving interstitial procedure
Lucknow: In a remarkable feat of medical precision and innovation, Medanta Hospital, Lucknow, successfully treated a rare and complex case of cancer using interstitial brachytherapy — a sophisticated internal radiation procedure. The Radiation Oncology Department’s effort not only saved a 42-year-old woman’s life but also highlighted the critical role of advanced oncological interventions in treating recurrent cancers.
The patient had initially undergone surgery for uterine cancer in November 2022. Despite being advised to follow up with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she avoided further treatment due to fear. Nearly two years later, the cancer returned at the vaginal vault — the site where the uterus once was.
Dr. Mohammad Suhaib, Director of Radiation Oncology at Medanta Cancer Care, explained, “This was an advanced vault carcinoma. After uterine removal, the anatomy changes drastically, making radiation therapy far more challenging.”
A PET scan revealed that while the cancer had not spread extensively, a 5.5 to 6 cm lesion had developed in the vault area. The treatment began with 28 sessions of external radiation and six weekly cycles of chemotherapy. Although most of the tumor responded, around 1.5 cm of cancer still remained.
Given the absence of the uterus, conventional intracavitary brachytherapy was not an option. The team, therefore, opted for the far more complex interstitial brachytherapy, where 18 fine titanium needles were inserted precisely into the affected area. The region, surrounded by intestines, the bladder, and major blood vessels, posed a high risk. A single puncture to a vessel could have proven fatal.
To minimize risk, the patient was kept under anesthesia for four days. A catheter and special in-vivo management system were employed to control bodily functions during this period. Over three days, five radiation sessions were conducted, after which the needles were carefully removed and the patient kept under observation.
Follow-up ultrasounds and clinical evaluations conducted two and a half months post-treatment confirmed that the patient was completely cancer-free. Remarkably, no major side effects were reported. Minor side effects were managed through medication.
Dr. Suhaib emphasized, “When standard brachytherapy is not viable, interstitial brachytherapy becomes a life-saving option. Currently, Medanta Lucknow is the only private healthcare center in the region offering this advanced technique.”
This landmark case underscores Medanta’s leadership in cutting-edge cancer care and offers new hope to patients dealing with complicated or recurrent cancers.
