Santa Casa to Introduce Unprecedented Cancer Treatment in the Campos Gerais with New Technology

The Santa Casa de Ponta Grossa will extend the oncological treatment offered to patients of the Campos Gerais with the acquisition of a brachytherapy equipment. The contract to purchase the technology was signed on Thursday (15), and the equipment is expected to be delivered in the first months of 2027.

The technology, manufactured by the Swedish company Elekta, will allow to complement the radiation treatments already carried out by the institution. With the implementation of the new service, Santa Casa is expected to become the only Campos Gerais institution to bring together, in one place, a framework for complete radiotherapy treatment of patients with cervical cancer and certain types of skin cancer, as medically assessed.

Patients will not need to travel to complete treatment

Currently, even with the implementation of the linear accelerator in the Santa Casa, some patients still need to travel to Curitiba and the Metropolitan Region to perform brachytherapy sessions.

The new structure will allow this stage of treatment to be performed in Ponta Grossa, reducing travel and providing more comfort to patients and family members.

According to Santa Casa provider, Juarez Antonio Carvalho, the acquisition represents another advance in the regional oncology structure.

“Our commitment is to offer an increasingly complete, humanized and quality service. The acquisition of this equipment represents another step for Campos Gerais patients to find in Santa Casa the necessary conditions to carry out their cancer treatment without having to travel to other cities in search of this stage of care ", he says.

Juarez also points out that the investment is part of the strategy of modernization of the services offered by the institution.

“We are investing in technology to broaden access to treatment and better care for people,” he adds.

What is Brachytherapy?

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which a radioactive source is positioned within the tumor or near the area that needs to be treated.

Unlike external radiation therapy, in which the radiation is part of a device located outside the patient's body, brachytherapy allows the radiation to be applied directly to the target region.

The technique allows for higher dose concentration in the treated site, reducing the exposure of nearby healthy tissues.

In the treatment of cervical cancer, brachytherapy plays an important role in several cases. The technique can also be used in certain skin tumors, depending on the type, location and extent of the lesion.

Technology increases procedure accuracy

According to Santa Casa medical physicist Anderson Passaro, the equipment expands the possibilities of individualized treatment planning.

“Brachytherapy allows directing the radiation directly to the region that needs to be treated, with a specific planning for each patient. This is especially important in areas close to healthy organs and tissues, as occurs in the treatment of cervical cancer.”

According to him, factors such as the choice of applicators, dose planning and accuracy during the application are fundamental to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Equipment will have technology for advanced gynaecological tumors

The equipment purchased by Santa Casa will have technology that uses silicone applicators and needles, a feature indicated for certain gynecological treatments, including in cases of advanced tumors, according to the configuration provided for the service.

The devices help in the positioning of the radioactive source and in the distribution of the radiation dose.

The choice of the technique and the applicators will be made according to the characteristics of each patient, the type of tumor, the treated region and the protocols defined by the specialized team.

Santa Casa will build new structure

Before the start of service, Santa Casa will need to build a specific structure to install the new equipment.

The space shall comply with the radiological safety, operation and protection standards required for the performance of the procedures.

Although the work is considered simpler than the structure built to receive the linear accelerator, it will be necessary to complete all the technical steps before the release of the attendances.

The equipment is expected to arrive in the first months of 2027. After the installation, testing, technical adaptations and organization of the service, the institution may initiate the procedures.

The acquisition is part of the Santa Casa oncology care modernization process and is expected to benefit patients from Ponta Grossa and other Campos Gerais municipalities.