Hyderabad, April 22 : In a first-of-its kind in India, American Oncology Institute (AOI) successfully performed two Hybrid Interstitial Brachytherapy procedures using Varian’s Aarhus Applicator to treat cervical cancer at Citizens Hospital here. Announcing this at a press conference here at a private hotel, Dr Suneetha Mulinti, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, AOI, said that the procedure is used exclusively for Gynecological Cancer (Cervical Cancer). While explaining the procedures, Dr Suneetha said, “Half of the treatment for Cervical Cancer is external radiation by not touching the patient. Remaining half of the treatment is delivered through the intracavitary radiation where we insert some radioactive material directly to the uterus. First part of the treatment everybody is accepted wherein second part some patients get scared about the treatment. In order to improve the second part of the treatment that is Brachytherapy or internal radiation there are a variety of treatments available. Majority of institutes do this without anesthesia and it is a painful process. In this context, AOI has introduced a new procedure to treat the second part of the treatment that is Brachytheropy or Internal Radiation with Anesthesia in the operation theater. So that the patient does not have any pain. The blood loss is also very minimal and the procedure also takes only 10-15 minutes in the morning and in the evening. The whole procedure will be in MRI imaging. It will be two sittings. The reaction with the radiation is also less”, she added. In his recorded message, while elaborating on the procedure, Dr Sushil Beriwal, Radiation oncologist, USA said, “ This hybrid interstitial applicator with state-of-the-art MRI imaging can help increase the tumor dose and at the same time keep the normal tissue doses to a minimum. This advanced form of brachytherapy has shown to improve local control and reduce morbidities.” The treatment cost would be about Rs 1.25 lakhs to Rs 1.50 lakhs, Dr Suneetha added. Dr Prabhakar, P Regional Chief Operating Officer, AOI also present on the occasion. VV GK