Uterine tumors, commonly known as uterine cancer, are abnormal cell growths within the uterine tissue that can be benign or malignant. This condition is often marked by symptoms such as bleeding outside of the menstrual cycle, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and abdominal enlargement. If left untreated, uterine tumors can continue to grow and press on surrounding organs, causing discomfort and disrupting reproductive function.
One of the most effective medical approaches to help reduce the size of uterine tumors is brachytherapy—an internal radiation therapy that delivers radiation directly inside or near the tumor. With this technique, radiation is administered precisely to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, brachytherapy is performed using advanced technology that ensures more precise, safe, and effective treatment to help patients achieve a better quality of life.
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How Does Brachytherapy Shrink Uterine Tumors?
Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation directly into or around the uterine tumor. This therapy helps shrink the tumor in a precise and safe manner.
Here’s how it works:
1. Placement of the radiation source near the tumor
A small radioactive source is inserted into or around the uterine tumor using a specialized applicator.
2. Radiation targets and destroys cancer cells
The energy from the radioactive source damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and causing them to die.
3. Gradual tumor shrinkage
After several therapy sessions, the cancer cells are destroyed, and the size of the uterine tumor gradually decreases.
4. Minimal side effects on healthy tissue
Because the radiation is delivered locally and precisely, the surrounding healthy tissue remains protected from excessive exposure.
5. Advanced high-dose system
At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, brachytherapy uses the Flexitron Brachytherapy System, an advanced technology featuring High Dose Rate (HDR) afterloading, allowing radiation doses to be tailored to the tumor’s size, shape, and location.
With this approach, brachytherapy is not only effective in shrinking uterine tumors before further treatments like surgery or chemotherapy, but it can also serve as a primary therapy for early to mid-stage uterine cancers.
Uterine Tumor Shrinking Therapy with Brachytherapy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
As a hospital equipped with integrated oncology services and state-of-the-art technology, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatments, including external radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. One of its leading technologies is brachytherapy, a highly effective internal radiation method for treating various gynecologic cancers such as cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, vulvar, and fallopian tube cancers.
The brachytherapy technology at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri utilizes the Flexitron Brachytherapy System, the same advanced system used by world-renowned cancer centers such as MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA), National Cancer Center (Singapore), University of Erlangen (Germany), and Medical University AKH (Austria).
This system operates with a High Dose Rate (HDR) afterloading principle, where the radiation source is placed directly inside or near the tumor to deliver high doses of radiation precisely. This method ensures safer, more efficient, and more targeted treatment, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Each brachytherapy session is personalized based on the location and type of cancer, providing optimal and individualized results for every patient.
Brachytherapy Specialists at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri is supported by a team of experienced radiation oncologists who specialize in advanced radiotherapy and brachytherapy for various types of cancer. The team consists of experts with extensive clinical experience and international training in radiation oncology.
1. Prof. Dr. dr. Soehartati A. Gondhowiardjo, Sp.Onk.Rad (K)
Prof. Dr. dr. Soehartati A. Gondhowiardjo, Sp.Onk.Rad (K) is a senior radiation oncology expert with extensive experience in clinical, academic, and research fields. She earned her medical degree from the University of Indonesia (UI) and continued her specialization in Radiology and Radiation Oncology at UI and the Strahlentherapie Abteilung Wilhelm-Westfälischen Universität Münster, Germany.
In 1998, she obtained her Doctorate in Medical Sciences from the University of Indonesia in collaboration with AKH Vienna, Austria. Prof. Soehartati actively participates in numerous international training programs and scientific forums, such as the Indonesia–IAEA Radiation Medicine Workshop (2023) and the ESTRO Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology Course (2023). Her expertise has made her a key figure in the development of radiation oncology services in Indonesia.
Practice Schedule:
- Wednesday: 13.30 – 17.00 WIB
2. dr. Novina Fortunata, Sp.Onk.Rad
dr. Novina Fortunata completed her medical degree at Universitas Airlangga and her Radiation Oncology specialization at the University of Indonesia. She actively keeps up with the latest developments in radiotherapy technology through national and international training programs such as the 3rd Jakarta Annual Collaborative Cancer Meeting (JACCM) 2022, FARO Webinar Series, and the CME Program by IROS (Indonesian Radiation Oncology Society).
Her commitment to continuous learning makes her one of the most up-to-date doctors in adopting modern radiotherapy innovations and techniques.
Practice Schedule:
- Monday–Friday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Saturday: 08.00 – 13.00 WIB
3. dr. Riyan Apriantoni, Sp.Onk.Rad
dr. Riyan Apriantoni earned his medical degree from Universitas Sriwijaya and completed his Radiation Oncology specialization at the University of Indonesia. He is skilled in various modern radiotherapy techniques, including Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)—both high-precision methods that allow optimal radiation doses to be delivered directly to tumor areas.
He also has extensive experience in performing brachytherapy and other radiotherapy approaches tailored to each patient’s specific condition for the best possible treatment outcomes.
Practice Schedule:
- Monday–Friday: 17.00 – 19.30 WIB
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