Gamma Tile changing the outlook of cancer treatment
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A new radiation treatment being offered at Lexington Medical Center is changing the outlook of cancer recovery for patients. Gamma Tile is a form of brachytherapy placed inside the brain for precise radiation.
The procedure received FDA clearance in 2018.
Dr. Johnathan Engh, Neurosurgeon with Lexington Medical Center says there’s a large number of adult brain tumor diagnoses in the state, and this new way of treatment is quicker and more efficient.
“In the old days, we had to do radiation for these people with external beams, which was not as precise. And nowadays with more modern stereotactic radiation which are very precise. You’re delivering the highest dose, to the center of the cavity. Well if you’re taking a tumor out and you’re placing it on the center of the cavity you’re not getting the radiation on the edges,” says Engh.
After a craniotomy before the surgeon closes the brain incision, a small wafer is placed inside where the tumor once lived.
“With Gamma Tile we put the highest dose of radiation right at the edges, right where there could potentially be residual disease in an extremely precise fashion,” says Engh.
Dr. Engh says lung cancer, melanoma, kidney and breast cancer, patients who suffer from brain tumors are eligible patients for the procedure.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
