Treatment for cervical, vaginal, or uterine cancer does not always rely solely on chemotherapy or surgery. Today, there is another more targeted and effective treatment method for certain cases — brachytherapy, a form of internal radiation therapy that is also available at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital. Supported by advanced medical technology and an experienced radiation oncology team, brachytherapy has become one of the key therapeutic options in managing gynecologic cancers, especially for patients whose conditions are still localized.
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Understanding Brachytherapy for Cervical, Vaginal, and Uterine Cancer
dr. Novina Fortunata, Sp.Onk.Rad, radiation oncologist at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, explains what brachytherapy is: “Brachytherapy is actually one of the radiation therapy methods, where we use a radioactive source that is placed directly at the tumor site or near the tumor area,” she said.
Unlike external radiation that delivers beams from outside the body, brachytherapy works internally. The radiation source is positioned precisely at or near the tumor site, allowing the treatment effect to be more concentrated.
“In brachytherapy, we can focus a higher dose on the tumor, maximizing the therapeutic effect directly on the cancer,” she added.
This method is commonly used to treat various types of gynecologic cancers such as cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and vaginal cancer. For cervical cancer, it is often applied in early stages when cancer cells are still localized. However, brachytherapy can also be considered in advanced stages for palliative purposes — helping to relieve symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.
“Most often we use it for early-stage cancers, but in some cases, it can be considered for more advanced stages for palliative purposes rather than curative,” explained dr. Novina.
In many cervical cancer cases, brachytherapy is performed in combination with external beam radiation. “For cervical cancer, the treatment is mostly combined because many patients come to us in quite advanced stages. We usually combine external radiation first, then proceed with brachytherapy near the end or after the external treatment is completed,” she said.
Advantages of Brachytherapy for Cervical, Vaginal, and Uterine Cancer
One of the main advantages of brachytherapy is its high precision in targeting radiation directly to the tumor area. This allows a high radiation dose to be delivered to cancerous tissue while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy organs.
“Because it’s focused, we can deliver a very high radiation dose directly to the cancer, while protecting the surrounding healthy organs. So the overall exposure is much smaller, and side effects are minimal,” explained dr. Novina.
In addition to being safe, brachytherapy generally causes fewer side effects compared to external radiation. The procedure is also relatively quick and well-tolerated by patients.
According to dr. Novina, brachytherapy sessions are typically performed once or twice a week, with a total of three to four sessions, so the treatment is usually completed within two weeks. Each session lasts around 30 minutes.
“So far, patients undergoing brachytherapy are usually quite happy; side effects are minimal or almost none. They prefer it because the treatment duration is shorter, and the results are more noticeable,” she added.
At Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, gynecologic cancer patients receive comprehensive and multidisciplinary care, involving a complete team of specialists including gynecologic oncologists, medical hematology-oncology consultants, and radiation oncologists.
“For gynecologic cancers at Mandaya, our team of specialists is very complete, and we, as the radiation oncology team, are ready to help,” concluded dr. Novina.
Profile and Schedule of dr. Novina Fortunata, Sp.Onk.Rad at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
dr. Novina Fortunata completed her general medical education at Universitas Airlangga, then pursued her specialization in Radiation Oncology at Universitas Indonesia, where she deepened her knowledge of modern cancer treatment through radiation therapy. Her academic journey reflects her strong dedication to understanding the scientific and clinical aspects of safe and effective cancer management.
As an active specialist committed to continuous learning, dr. Novina regularly participates in various national and international scientific meetings, seminars, and training programs. These include The 3rd Jakarta Annual Collaborative Cancer Meeting (JACCM) 2022, the Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology (FARO) Webinar Series, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs organized by the Indonesian Radiation Oncology Society (IROS). Through these professional engagements, she continuously expands her knowledge and stays updated on the latest advancements in global radiation therapy.
Her commitment to professional growth makes dr. Novina a specialist who stays current with the latest innovations in radiotherapy. She believes that every advancement in medical science should be applied wisely to deliver the best outcomes for cancer patients. With a focus on patient safety, effectiveness, and comfort, dr. Novina strives to provide world-class radiation oncology care at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital.
Clinic Schedule:
- Monday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Tuesday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Wednesday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Thursday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Friday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Saturday: 08.00 – 13.00 WIB
To easily schedule a consultation with dr. Novina Fortunata at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, you can use the Chat via WhatsApp, Book Appointment feature, or the Care Dokter app, available on Google Play and App Store for convenient registration, queue checking, and complete hospital information.
