Elekta introduced its new applicator for treating advanced-stage cervical cancer, Venezia, at the World Congress of Brachytherapy this week. It’s an advanced gynecological applicator that gives the clinician better access to stage IIIA, IIIB and IVA tumors in the cervix, parametrium and vaginal extensions.

A specialized technique called freehand needle placement is usually used to treat advanced-stage cervical tumors. Historically, it’s been difficult to treat this cancer because the current brachytherapy applicators couldn’t always reach the tumor.

Venezia has a snap-fit design, which reduces the complexity of treating this cancer and the time needed to perform the procedure in the operating room. The applicator uses a combination of straight and oblique needles that are placed in a consistent manner.
It brings together the best characteristics of ring and ovoid applicator devices, according to Dr. Richard Pötter, professor at the medical university of Vienna and one of Venezia’s developers. Those benefits include the ovoid’s simple applicability and the ring applicator’s reproducible dose distribution.

Pötter believes that Venezia has the potential to be a universal applicator for treating cervical cancer as well as cancers in the uterus and vagina.

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