UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers new care for Central Pa. residents

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UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is offering new care for Central Pennsylvania residents.

High dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy is being offered at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at 4300 Londonderry Rd. in Harrisburg. According to a release, it is the only health facility in Central Pennsylvania to currently offer this service.

HDR prostate brachytherapy is a form of radiation oncology therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the prostate while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue, per the release. It can be used on its own for patients with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer or combined with external beam radiation therapy for patients with higher-risk disease.

“UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Central Pa. continues to invest in advanced radiation technologies that improve treatment precision and patient experience,” said Dr. Joella Wilson, regional vice chair, Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “As a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center in Central Pennsylvania, this milestone underscores our commitment to providing top-tier cancer care and innovative treatment options to our community.”

The procedure involves the placement of thin catheters in the prostate using ultrasound guidance. This allows the radiation oncologists to precisely target the cancer while protecting surrounding organs such as the bladder and rectum. The patient is under general anesthesia, and the procedure is typically performed as an outpatient treatment.

Martin Roland of Liverpool, Pa., was among the patients who received HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment and says he is pleased with the outcome.

“When my prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, numbers started rising more quickly, I knew it was time to act,” Roland said. “After learning about my options and doing my own research, HDR brachytherapy felt like the right choice for me. The treatment fit my life and aside from taking a short break, I was able to get right back out on the golf course, which meant a lot to me.”

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Central Pa. has approximately 40,000 patient visits for radiation oncology annually, delivering nearly 135 radiation treatments daily. It is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country, which provides cutting-edge treatment and access to hundreds of clinical trials.