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University of Pittsburgh Magee Women's Hospital (HDR GYN and HDR/LDR Prostate)

University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Magee Women's Hospital (GYN HDR, prostate HDR, and prostate LDR brachytherapy)

Our Facility:

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, part of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh, is a leading academic teaching hospital and the premier referral center in Western Pennsylvania for the treatment of breast and gynecologic malignancies. The Department of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Magee is a high-volume brachytherapy program, delivering approximately 800–1,000 fractions of HDR brachytherapy annually for gynecologic cancers. We initiated MRI-based gynecologic brachytherapy in 2007 and maintain one of the largest and most comprehensive follow-up databases for MRI-based HDR brachytherapy in cervical cancer in North America.

HDR prostate brachytherapy has been offered since March 2025. The volume has grown substantially.

In addition, our program has more than 20 years of experience performing prostate LDR brachytherapy using Cs?131 and ocular LDR plaque brachytherapy using I?125.

The department is equipped with an Elekta Nucletron HDR remote afterloader and the Oncentra treatment planning system for HDR brachytherapy. Varian VariSeed is utilized for prostate LDR brachytherapy planning.

We have a dedicated HDR brachytherapy procedure suite within the department, fully equipped with anesthesia capabilities. Imaging devices include a Siemens Go.Open Pro large-bore CT scanner located in the department, as well as an adjacent MRI suite housing a GE 1.5T scanner and a Siemens Vida 3T scanner.

For more than two decades, our department has provided comprehensive education and training for both internal and external trainees, including physicians and medical physicists. Our multidisciplinary team offers exceptional expertise and instruction across all aspects of brachytherapy, supported by extensive clinical experience and a strong commitment to education.

Fellowship Description:

We offer comprehensive GYN HDR, prostate HDR, and prostate LDR brachytherapy services.

In alignment with the ABS Brachytherapy 300-in-10 curriculum recommendations, trainees will be integrated into all major aspects of brachytherapy practice, including:

  1. following brachytherapy physicians during patient consultations and follow-up visits;
  2. participating in multidisciplinary GYN and prostate tumor boards and chart rounds;
  3. observing and performing various GYN applicator insertions in the department procedure room, as well as contouring using CT and MR imaging, predominantly with MR datasets;
  4. observing and performing prostate needle insertions and contouring using CT and MR imaging;
  5. collaborating with medical physicists on treatment planning and quality assurance processes;
  6. learning post-procedure management and patient care; and
  7. reviewing and discussing consensus guidelines, clinical trials, and outcomes data relevant to brachytherapy.

Trainees will also work closely with faculty on clinical projects and/or educational activities related to brachytherapy.

If physicist (s) accompany physician trainees, dedicated instruction will be provided for physicists, focusing on brachytherapy quality assurance, CT and MR imaging implementation and utilization, and in-depth treatment planning and evaluation processes.

Prostate LDR seed implant procedures using the Cs-131 isotope are performed weekly in the operating room, offering trainees regular opportunities for observation and hands-on experience.

Eye plaque LDR procedures using the I-125 isotope are also performed, and trainees will be exposed to these cases as part of their training experience.

Case volume:

  1. Average GYN HDR brachytherapy patients and fractions per year:
  • Vag Cylinder: 100-130
  • R&T: 25-30
  • Hybrid (Vienna or Venezia):  20-25
  • Multichannel cylinder: 15-20
  • T and Cyl or Y applicator: 15-20
  • SYED interstitial: 20-25
  • Total number of patients: 200-250
  • Total fractions: 700-1000
  1. Average HDR prostate per year: * about 50 patients (*reflecting the program’s first year and ramp-up phase, with anticipated substantial growth)
  2. Average LDR prostate seed implants per year: about 50-70 patients (1-2 cases per week)
  3. Average LDR eye plaque cases per year: about 20-30 patients (1-2 cases per month)

Resident Expectations and Learning Objectives:

  1. All trainees and residents are expected to complete all assignments designated by site faculty and to acquire the necessary clinical knowledge and hands-on experience in brachytherapy.
  2. By the completion of training, all trainees and residents will be able to independently perform brachytherapy procedures using both MRI- and CT-based planning workflows.
  3. Trainees and residents will also develop a comprehensive understanding of the brachytherapy clinical workflow, including the roles and responsibilities of each member of the multidisciplinary team, with an emphasis on patient care, staff safety, and overall clinical operations.

 

ABS Fellowship Application: University of Pittsburgh Magee Women's Hospital, HDR GYN and HDR/LDR Prostate

 

Brian Moran Scholarship Application for 300 in 10 Fellowship