A new option for bile duct cancer treatment
For the first time in Canada, Sunnybrook is offering MRI-guided brachytherapy for bile duct cancers. During the procedure, radioactive seeds are placed in close proximity of the tumour, guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. This allows the treatment team to provide the maximal dose of radiation treatment to the tumour target while minimizing the effects on surrounding tissues and organs.
“The goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life and minimize any toxicity from treatment,” says radiation oncologist Dr. Amandeep Taggar. “This provides a course of action for patients who may not have any other chemotherapy or external beam radiation treatment options. By providing this at Sunnybrook, we are filling a large void.”
MRI-Brachytherapy is also currently used in the treatment of prostate, breast and gynecological cancer.
In a Canadian first, Sunnybrook is using MRI-guided brachytherapy — a precise type of image-guided radiation treatment — for patients with inoperable bile duct cancers: https://t.co/EU8yt1m5WM pic.twitter.com/bf0cNiTZMt
— Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (@Sunnybrook) March 31, 2021
