A patient with metastatic brain cancer has become the first in the New York City area to receive the unique GliaSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS). A team of neurosurgeons and radiation specialists -- led by neurosurgeon Dr. Susan Pannullo -- performed this procedure at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Following the surgical removal of the patient's brain tumor the GliaSite balloon catheter system was inserted into the remaining cavity. Liquid radiation was then injected to fill the balloon. The radioactive liquid remained in the balloon for several days where it delivered radiation directly to the area in the brain where cancer would most likely recur.

Metastatic brain cancer occurs when cancer cells migrate to the brain from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body and form a tumor or tumors there. More than 170 000 Americans are diagnosed every year with metastatic brain tumors. GliaSite RTS is also effective for other types of brain cancer such as primary brain tumors like Glioblastoma Multiforme.