GEM Cancer Centre

What is GammaMed™️ Brachytherapy?

GammaMed™️ is an advanced high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy system developed by Varian Medical Systems, designed to deliver radiation treatment directly inside or next to the tumor site. Unlike external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), which delivers radiation from outside the body, GammaMed precisely targets cancer from within, offering powerful, localized treatment with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

What Makes GammaMed™️ Special

GammaMed stands out in the field of radiation oncology due to its unmatched accuracy, versatility, and safety. It uses a remote afterloading mechanism to position a small radioactive source (usually Iridium-192) directly into the tumor or cavity using catheters or applicators. The source is precisely programmed to dwell at specific locations for specific durations, ensuring a customized dose distribution tailored to each patient’s anatomy and tumor characteristics.

Key distinctions include:

High Dose Rate (HDR) Efficiency: Delivers a therapeutic dose in minutes, often on an outpatient basis.
Remote Afterloading Safety: Minimizes radiation exposure to clinical staff.
Adaptable Applicators: Wide range of specialized applicators for gynecological, breast, prostate, rectal, and other cancers.
Superior Dose Conformity: Allows steep dose fall-off, meaning high dose to the tumor with rapid reduction to nearby tissues.

Advantages for the Patient

Minimally Invasive: Treatment is delivered internally with no large incisions, often using natural body openings or small catheters.
Shorter Treatment Duration: Sessions typically last just 10–20 minutes and are often completed in fewer overall visits compared to conventional radiation.
Fewer Side Effects: Precise targeting reduces impact on healthy organs and tissues.
Enhanced Cosmetic and Functional Outcomes: Especially beneficial for breast, skin, and head & neck cancers where preserving appearance and function is important.
Outpatient Convenience: Most procedures require no hospitalization and involve faster recovery times.

Where Can GammaMed™️ Brachytherapy Be Used?

GammaMed is widely used across multiple cancer types, particularly where tumors are well-defined and accessible for internal radiation:

Gynecologic cancers: Cervical, endometrial, and vaginal cancers
Prostate cancer: Through transperineal placement for localized treatment
Breast cancer: As part of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI)
Head and neck cancers: Especially in recurrent or difficult-to-treat lesions
Esophageal, rectal, and bile duct cancers
Soft tissue sarcomas and skin cancers

Its ability to conform to the tumor shape and location makes it ideal for boost doses following external beam radiation or as a standalone curative treatment in select cases.

GammaMed™️ at [Your Hospital Name]: Personalized Care from the Inside Out

At Gem Cancer Centre , the GammaMed HDR Brachytherapy system enables us to deliver highly effective, individualized cancer treatment with minimal disruption to your life. Backed by Varian’s global leadership in radiation oncology, GammaMed helps us offer curative intent with compassion, precision, and comfort.

Experience the benefits of internal radiation—engineered for safety, designed for healing.