NEW OPERATING ROOM FOR HIGH-DOSE-RATE (HDR) BRACHYTHERAPY OPENS AT THE NMRRC

At the P. Herzen MNIOI, a branch of the National Medical Research Center for Radiology (NMIIC Radiology) under the Russian Ministry of Health, a new operating room has been commissioned for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy—one of the most precise radiation treatment methods for cancer.

The key change is not only the updated space but also expanded capabilities. The operating room fully meets modern standards: equipped with medical gas systems, supports various types of anesthesia assistance, and includes patient observation areas for pre- and post-operative periods. This enables treatment of more complex patients, including those previously denied care due to comorbidities.

“Now we have all the conditions for full-scale HDR brachytherapy. We are supplied with sources for years ahead and can significantly increase the number of procedures—to up to four per day—without compromising quality,” notes radiation therapist PhD Alexander Obukhov.

HDR brachytherapy is performed directly in the operating room: through installed catheters, the source sequentially targets specified tissue areas, ensuring precise dose delivery. Post-procedure, no radioactive elements remain in the patient, posing no risk to others, allowing a quick return to normal life. The procedure lasts about 1.5 hours under anesthesia and typically does not require prolonged hospitalization—patients can be discharged the next day.

“The new operating room not only increases access to high-tech care but also allows further development. In the near future, we plan to introduce new protocols, including for pancreatic and biliary tract tumors—areas requiring exceptional precision and a multidisciplinary approach,” emphasizes Alexander Alexandrovich. The opening of the operating room is another step in advancing radiation therapy at the Center: expanding patient options today and introducing new technologies in the near future.