Brachytherapy unit installed @ CMC
Vellore: The High Dose Rate (HDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy unit — a system of cancer treatment using radioactive sources within or close to a tumour with the help of a computer — was inaugurated by Public Works Department Minister Durai Murugan at the Christian Medical College Hospital here on recently.Inaugurating the unit, Mr. Durai Murugan said that this unit was a boon to cancer patients, doctors and paramedical staff involved in the treatment, since it targeted the radiation directly at the tumour without damaging the nearby tissues, while offering protection to the staff against the exposure to radiation.While appreciating the services of the CMC for providing highly advanced treatment for various diseases, the Minister deprecated the practice of some hospitals and doctors in fleecing the patients by making them undergo unnecessary tests. He requested the CMC Hospital to provide the poor the quality care that it provided to the rich.Subhashini John, Head of the Department of Radiotherapy, CMC Hospital, said that in the HDR Brachytherapy unit, the radioactive sources were placed directly at the place that had to be treated.Bringing a highly radioactive source near a tumour by hand was a dangerous activity. Remote "afterloading" (inserting the radioactive source into the applicator) was the solution to this problem.
As the source could be brought very close to the tumour, and more than one catheter could be placed close or inside the tumour, the radiation was very effective. Sources were automatically retracted, whenever required for patient care, and reinserted after each interruption. Radiation monitors were installed with visible and audible alarm, and the patient could be monitored via remote closed-circuit television camera and intercommunication devices.The CMC Hospital received about 2,500 new cancer patients every year. Thirty five per cent of the patients got free treatment, she noted.George M. Chandy, Director of the CMC Hospital, welcomed.Rabi Raja Singh of the Department of Radiotherapy introduced the chief guest. Selvamani of the same department proposed a vote of thanks.
