Madison, WI – UW Health announced that its surgeons are now using GammaTile, an innovative radiation therapy, for patients undergoing surgery to remove brain tumors. The treatment, developed by GT Medical Technologies of Tempe, Arizona, involves placing small, absorbable tiles that contain radioactive seeds directly into the cavity left after the tumor is excised.
How GammaTile works
Once the surgeon removes the tumor, the GammaTile implants are positioned in the surgical site. The radioactive seeds begin emitting low‑dose radiation immediately, targeting any microscopic cancer cells that may remain. Because the radiation is concentrated at the site of the tumor, exposure to surrounding healthy brain tissue is minimized.
Benefits highlighted by UW Health physicians
“One of the real benefits of GammaTile is that radiation starts at the time of the surgery, and there’s no delay to starting that radiation,” said Dr. Brett Morris, a radiation oncologist at UW Health. “It allows patients to get on the next step of their treatment journey, whether it be systemic therapy or recovering from surgery, in a more timely fashion.”
Doctors note that the immediate start of radiation can reduce the overall treatment timeline and may improve outcomes for patients whose tumors are aggressive or located in hard‑to‑reach areas of the brain.
Who is eligible?
UW Health cautions that GammaTile is not appropriate for every brain tumor case. Eligibility depends on factors such as tumor type, size, location, and the patient’s overall health. The medical team conducts a thorough evaluation to determine whether the therapy is a suitable option.
First procedures completed
The first GammaTile procedure at UW Health was performed last month, marking the start of a new treatment pathway for the region’s cancer patients. Early feedback from the surgical team has been positive, with the procedure fitting seamlessly into the existing operative workflow.
What this means for Madison families
For families facing a brain tumor diagnosis, the availability of GammaTile offers a hopeful alternative that aligns with the community’s values of timely, high‑quality medical care. By reducing the need for separate radiation appointments, the therapy can lessen the logistical and emotional burden on patients and their loved ones.
UW Health plans to continue monitoring outcomes and will share results with the broader medical community as data become available. The institution remains committed to bringing cutting‑edge treatments to Madison while upholding the standards of safety and compassion that the city expects from its healthcare providers.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
