JAMMU: In a significant boost to cancer care in the region, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu has successfully performed its first interstitial brachytherapy procedure for the treatment of tongue cancer, marking a major milestone in the expansion of advanced oncology services at the institute.
The procedure was carried out on a patient diagnosed with tongue cancer and involved placing specialised catheters directly into the tumour. Through these catheters, a radioactive source delivers radiation precisely to the cancerous tissue while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy structures. The technique allows delivery of high radiation doses with exceptional accuracy, improving treatment outcomes while preserving nearby tissues.
The procedure was performed under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) D.N. Sharma, Executive Director and CEO of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu. A nationally acclaimed radiation oncologist and pioneer in brachytherapy in India, Dr. Sharma currently serves as President of the Indian Brachytherapy Society and has contributed extensively to clinical research and innovation in radiation oncology.
The complex procedure was executed by a multidisciplinary team comprising Prof. (Dr.) Shabab Lalit Angurana, Head of the Department of Radiotherapy; Dr. Darwin Kaushal, Additional Professor in the Department of ENT; and Dr. Girija Sharma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiotherapy, along with their respective teams at AIIMS Jammu.
Medical physics support for the procedure was provided by Dr. Seema Sharma, Senior Medical Physicist and Radiation Safety Officer from the National Cancer Institute AIIMS New Delhi, along with the medical physics team at AIIMS Jammu.
Officials said the successful introduction of interstitial brachytherapy at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu is the first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir. With this advanced treatment now available locally, patients from the Union Territory and neighbouring regions will be able to access specialised brachytherapy services without travelling outside the region.
The development is expected to significantly strengthen comprehensive cancer care in the region and bring state-of-the-art radiation therapy closer to patients.
