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Chennai, June 2026: MGM Cancer Institute has successfully treated a 54-year-old woman with stage-II breast carcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the milk ducts or lobules, the milk-producing glands of the breast. Following lumpectomy, the surgical removal of the tumour, the medical team performed brachytherapy, a form of internal radiation therapy that targets residual microscopic cancer cells and helps reduce the risk of recurrence.
Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy in which thin tubes, known as catheters, are inserted into the area from which the tumour has been removed, allowing radiation to be delivered precisely to the site at greatest risk of recurrence rather than to the entire breast. In this case, five catheters were placed in the patient’s breast, and radiation was administered in four sessions over two days.
By delivering radiation directly to the tumour bed, brachytherapy enables highly targeted treatment while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This significantly reduces radiation-related damage to the breast and nearby organs such as the heart and lungs compared to conventional external-beam radiation therapy. The approach also helps limit side effects such as scarring, skin pigmentation changes and fibrosis. In addition, brachytherapy offers excellent disease-control outcomes, with recurrence rates as low as 1–2% in Stage I breast cancer and 2–5% in Stage II breast cancer.
The procedure was carried out by teams headed by Dr Sivakumar Mahalingam, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncologist, and Dr Alex A Prasad, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncologist.
In his comments, Dr. Alex Prasad said, “Brachytherapy delivers radiation in a highly targeted manner, ensuring that exposure to surrounding organs remains well within safe limits. As a result, radiation-related damage to nearby organs can be significantly minimised. The procedure also helps reduce side effects commonly associated with conventional radiation therapy, including skin peeling, fibrosis, pigmentation changes and scarring.”
Dr. Sivakumar commented, “Following the surgical removal of the tumour from the breast, we performed tumour-bed boost brachytherapy to target any residual microscopic cancer cells. One of the primary advantages of brachytherapy is its ability to preserve the breast while minimising radiation exposure to vital internal organs such as the heart and lungs. Hence, multidisciplinary team approach is essential for optimal outcome of the patient and the procedures.”
Dr. M. A. Raja, Director and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology said, “Breast-conserving treatment is no longer just about removing the tumour; it is about preserving quality of life. Interstitial brachytherapy allows us to precisely target the tumour bed with radiation after surgery, significantly reducing unnecessary exposure to the heart, lungs and skin. This highly focused approach offers excellent disease control while helping patients return to their normal lives with confidence.”
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