Brachytherapy is one of the most effective forms of internal radiation therapy used to treat various types of cancer. This method works by placing a radiation source directly inside or near the cancerous tissue, allowing radiation to be precisely focused on the tumor area without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Thanks to its ability to deliver high-precision radiation, brachytherapy can be used to treat several types of cancer.
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Types of Cancer That Can Be Treated with Brachytherapy
1. Prostate Cancer
Brachytherapy is one of the most common treatment methods for prostate cancer, particularly in patients with low to intermediate risk. During this procedure, tiny radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland.
The radiation emitted from these seeds gradually destroys cancer cells from within the body without major surgery. Besides being effective, prostate brachytherapy offers a faster recovery time and fewer side effects compared to external beam radiation therapy.
2. Gynecological Cancer
Brachytherapy is widely used to treat gynecological cancers or cancers of the female reproductive organs, such as cervical, endometrial (uterine), and vaginal cancers. In these cases, an intracavitary brachytherapy technique is applied, where the radiation source is placed inside body cavities such as the vagina or uterus.
This therapy is often combined with external radiotherapy to achieve optimal results. Brachytherapy helps control local tumor growth, reduces the risk of cancer spread, and improves survival rates for patients with cervical or uterine cancer.
3. Breast Cancer
For breast cancer patients who have undergone tumor removal surgery (lumpectomy), brachytherapy is often used as an additional therapy to prevent cancer recurrence in the same area.
In this procedure, a small balloon or catheter is inserted into the cavity left by the removed tumor and filled with a radiation source to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Breast brachytherapy is known for its shorter treatment duration compared to conventional radiotherapy and its better cosmetic outcomes since it does not extensively damage breast tissue.
4. Head and Neck Cancer
Brachytherapy is also an option for treating cancers in the head and neck region, such as cancers of the mouth, tongue, nasal cavity, and throat. In many cases, it is used as part of a combined treatment approach with surgery or external radiotherapy.
This method effectively controls localized tumors, reduces the need for major surgery, and helps preserve vital organ functions such as speech, swallowing, and breathing.
5. Eye Cancer
For certain types of eye melanoma, brachytherapy can serve as a highly effective alternative treatment without requiring eye removal. This procedure involves attaching a small plaque containing radioactive material to the outer wall of the eye, positioned precisely behind the tumor.
Eye brachytherapy allows radiation to target cancer cells directly while minimizing damage to surrounding vision tissues, helping patients retain their sight.
6. Skin Cancer
Although less common, brachytherapy can also be used to treat advanced skin cancer or in cases where surgery is not possible. The radiation is precisely directed to the affected area to effectively destroy cancer cells.
This method provides better cosmetic results with minimal scarring, making it suitable for treating sensitive areas such as the face or nose.
Brachytherapy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri: Advanced Technology for More Precise Cancer Treatment
In addition to offering modern radiotherapy services, Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri provides brachytherapy, an advanced form of internal radiation therapy effective for various types of cancer. The hospital uses the Flexitron Brachytherapy system, a cutting-edge device also utilized 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).
Flexitron Brachytherapy operates with a High Dose Rate (HDR) afterloading system, allowing high-dose radiation to be precisely delivered directly inside or near the tumor. This technology enhances treatment safety and efficiency while minimizing damage to healthy tissues around the targeted area. As a result, patients receive faster, safer, and more effective therapy.
Expert Brachytherapy Radiation Oncologists at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri is supported by a team of experienced radiation oncology specialists who have received education and training from leading institutions both in Indonesia and abroad. Below are the profiles of the brachytherapy experts available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri:
1. Prof. Dr. dr. Soehartati A. Gondhowiardjo, Sp.Onk.Rad (K)
Prof. Dr. dr. Soehartati A. Gondhowiardjo, Sp.Onk.Rad (K) is one of Indonesia’s leading radiation oncology experts with extensive academic and clinical experience.
She earned her medical degree from Universitas Indonesia (1980) and her Radiology Specialist degree from the same university in 1987. Two years later, she pursued further studies in Radiation Oncology at Universitas Indonesia and Strahlentherapie Abteilung Wilhelm-Westfälischen Universität Münster, Germany. In 1998, she obtained her Doctorate in Medicine from Universitas Indonesia in collaboration with AKH Vienna, Austria.
Prof. Soehartati actively participates in various international workshops and training programs, including the Indonesia-IAEA Workshop on Radiation Medicine Facilities Development (2023), LPDP Scholarship Interviewer Coaching (2023), and the ESTRO Evidence-Based Radiation Oncology Course (2023). Her outstanding academic and clinical contributions have played a vital role in advancing radiation oncology services in Indonesia.
Practice Schedule:
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Wednesday: 13.30 – 17.00 WIB
2. dr. Novina Fortunata, Sp.Onk.Rad
dr. Novina Fortunata, Sp.Onk.Rad is a radiation oncology specialist who completed her medical degree at Universitas Airlangga and her specialist training at Universitas Indonesia.
Dedicated to continuous learning, she regularly attends international seminars and training programs such as the 3rd Jakarta Annual Collaborative Cancer Meeting (JACCM) 2022, FARO Webinars (Federation of Asian Organizations for Radiation Oncology), and various Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions by the Indonesian Radiation Oncology Society (IROS).
Her active involvement in professional forums ensures that she stays up-to-date with the latest innovations in cancer therapy.
Practice Schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 16.00 WIB
- Saturday: 08.00 – 13.00 WIB
3. dr. Riyan Apriantoni, Sp.Onk.Rad
dr. Riyan Apriantoni, Sp.Onk.Rad is a radiation oncology specialist who earned his medical degree from Universitas Sriwijaya and completed his specialist training at Universitas Indonesia.
He has in-depth expertise in various modern radiotherapy techniques, including Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)—two advanced methods that enable extremely accurate delivery of radiation doses.
dr. Riyan is also experienced in performing brachytherapy and other radiation therapy techniques, allowing him to tailor treatment approaches based on each patient’s unique condition for optimal outcomes.
Practice Schedule:
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Monday to Friday: 17.00 – 19.30 WIB
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