Vision-saving triumph: Eye cancer treatment achieves success without vision loss

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ocular plaque brachytherapy treatment for eye cancer successfully performed at Thalassery Malabar Cancer Center (MCC). It is a treatment that preserves the vision of the eye without removing the eye. A 55-year-old woman with uveal melanoma underwent successful surgery. The treatment was done using ruthenium 106 plaque produced indigenously by Bhabha Atomic Research Center at a much lower cost than imported plaques.

This is the first time such treatment is being conducted in Kerala. With this, MCC has become the fourth government hospital in India to offer this treatment after Delhi AIIMS, New Delhi Army Hospital, Chandigarh Govt Medical College. This is another milestone in the history of MCC. The Ocular Oncology Department and Radiation Oncology Department of MCC led the treatment.

Under the coordination of MCC Director Dr B Satheesan, a team consisting of Head of Radiation Oncology Department Dr Geetha, Dr Johnitha, Dr Greeshma, Dr Fairuz, Dr Hridiya, Dr Shilpa, Dr Sonali, staff nurses Jisha, Manish, Sreejil and others participated in the treatment.P

Plaque brachytherapy is a advanced radiation therapy for the treatment of eye cancer. This treatment can maintain vision without loss.

Effective for tumors on the surface of the eye, uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma and intraocular tumors.

A radioactive isotope plaque is surgically deposited over the tumor in the eye.

It is removed after a period of radiation treatment.

Careful monitoring of the patient will ensure cure.