Hinduja Hospital Performs the First Prostrate Brachytherapy or Seed Implant in India

Online, September 14, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Hinduja Hospital, one of Mumbai's leaders in healthcare delivery,
performed the First prostrate brachytherapy or seed implant in
India. Involving an investment of 55 lacs, the iodine seeds for
the procedure were manufactured for the first time by BARC.

With the rise in the Incidence of urban cancer over the past decade, reaching 150/100,000 Incidence of prostate cancer among
men has been on the increase in Mumbai (9/100, 000) and as per
many cancer registries it is sixth in incidence rate,
brachytherapy seems to be very promising for localized prostate
cancer in terms of local control, patient convenience, morbidity
and cost-effectiveness.

Prostate brachytherapy involves the technique of implanting
discrete radiation source either permanently or temporarily in
the prostate. Both techniques are used either in conjunction with
external beam radiotherapy or as monotherapy.

The benefits of this treatment it is less invasive with minimal
side effects and good outcomes. The Iodine seeds for the
procedure were manufactured for the first time in India.
Dr Vivek Anand,consultant radiation oncologist at Hinduja Hospital in
Mahim said: "This is the first time that we will use brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer in India.''

The procedure is used to treat cancer of the breast. In
brachytherapy, the capsules containing radioactive iodine, better
known as iodine seeds are injected in the cancer-hit parts of the
body. The seeds give off radiation at a slow rate over a period
of three or six months.

Dr Anand said that the number of seeds to be implanted depends on
the volume of the prostate.. gland affected. The seeds, which are
the size of a rice grain, release radiation only to the affected
part of the prostate.

Brachytherapy cuts down the side-effects of radiation therapy.
Since it is a non-invasive form of surgery, the recovery is
faster.''