New HDR Brachytherapy Technology Offers Safer Cancer Care Options at ShardaCare Healthcity

Greater Noida: ShardaCare Healthcity, a leading multispecialty hospital in North India, has strengthened its focus on advanced oncology treatment with the launch of its High-Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Unit, a state-of-the-art addition to its cancer care department.

This technology reinforces the hospital’s mission to provide precision-based and patient-centric cancer care through continuous innovation. The new unit is led by Dr. Anil Thakwani, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Oncology at ShardaCare Healthcity.

Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy technique where tiny radioactive sources are placed directly in or near the tumor, allowing radiation to target cancer cells precisely while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

The HDR Brachytherapy system, developed by Varian (formerly Nucleotron), uses a live Iridium-192 source to deliver highly localized radiation doses.

By positioning the source close to the tumor, this method significantly reduces radiation exposure to nearby organs, making it safer and more effective compared to conventional treatments such as External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) or Linear Accelerator (LINAC) therapy.

Explaining the benefits, Dr. Anil Thakwani said, “The precision of HDR Brachytherapy is especially beneficial for gynecological cancers like cervical cancer, where critical organs such as the bladder and rectum are close to the tumor.

This method confines radiation to the affected area, reducing complications like cystitis, rectal ulcers, and fistula formation while improving patients’ quality of life.”

He added that ShardaCare Healthcity has treated over 50 patients using brachytherapy, including cases of cervical, endometrial, prostate, and head and neck cancers. The hospital has seen positive outcomes across both local and international patients.

Mr. Rishabh Gupta, Managing Director of ShardaCare Healthcity, said, “Our investment in technologies like HDR Brachytherapy reflects our commitment to providing safer, more precise, and outcome-focused cancer treatments. We aim to combine advanced medical innovation with compassionate care to enhance every patient’s treatment experience.”