Kathmandu
Cancer Center
How it works
In standard external-beam radiotherapy, radiation is delivered from outside the body and travels toward the tumour.
With brachytherapy, a small radioactive source is placed inside or close to the area being treated. Because the radiation is delivered very close to the tumour, a high dose can be given to the target while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
For selected cancers, this can provide an effective alternative or addition to other treatments and may help some patients avoid more extensive surgery.
What we treat
KCC uses brachytherapy across a range of cancer sites, including gynaecological, head and neck, skin, lung, liver and selected gastrointestinal cancers.
01
Cancer of the cervix, womb, or vaginal area. This is the most common use of internal radiation — and where KCC has the deepest experience. We perform over twelve procedures a week. We routinely treat complex or returning cancers that other centres in Nepal turn away.
02
Surgery on the face can permanently change how you look, speak, or eat. Our internal radiation treats these cancers under simple local numbing , no general anaesthesia, no operation. It is gentle enough that we have safely treated patients well into their nineties, leaving them with beautiful, scar-free results. In our published study, every patient's cancer was controlled.
03
Traditional surgery often means losing part of the tongue — making it hard to talk or eat for the rest of your life. Our treatment can destroy the cancer while fully preserving your tongue, your natural voice, and your ability to enjoy food. We are currently running a study to make these results even better.
04
Skin cancer near the eyes, nose, or face is incredibly delicate. We create a custom-made mould that fits perfectly over your skin — like a puzzle piece made just for you. The radiation passes through this mould to destroy the cancer underneath. No needles, no cuts, no scars. We have treated cancers right next to the eye and preserved both sight and appearance.
05
For tumours deep inside the lung that cannot be operated on, our specialists use a CT scan to guide a tiny radiation source right into the heart of the tumour — destroying it from within in a single, high-dose session. This is rarely offered anywhere in South Asia. Our results have been published internationally and won best paper at the Indian Brachytherapy Society conference in 2025.
06
The same CT-guided approach for liver tumours — both primary liver cancer and cancer that has spread to the liver from elsewhere. Our specialist imaging team guides the radiation source precisely into the tumour. In September 2025, our team completed a liver procedure at 9:30 at night during a city curfew — because patients in treatment cannot wait.
07
Advanced cancer in the food pipe or windpipe can make it
agonising to swallow — sometimes impossible. By placing a
temporary radiation source directly inside the blockage,
we shrink the tumour and restore the ability to eat and
drink normally, often within just a few days.
This works for cancer of the food pipe, bile duct,
and bronchus.
08
Sometimes a surgeon finds that a tumour is sitting too close to an important nerve or blood vessel to remove safely. Our radiation team steps into the operating theatre, delivers a single, precise dose of radiation directly to that exact spot, and the surgeon closes. One combined procedure — no weeks of follow-up visits for radiation afterwards.
09
Cancer inside the nose sits dangerously close to the eye, brain, and major blood vessels — making it one of the most difficult sites to treat. KCC has treated nasal cavity cancers including patients who have already had treatment elsewhere and need a further procedure. Cases other centres find too complex are seen here as a matter of course.
A real patient's story
Surface mould · Facial skin cancer · Surgery avoided
An elderly grandmother came to KCC with a rapidly growing lump on her cheek. Her family was devastated — another hospital had said they would have to cut open her face, leaving a massive, permanent scar.
Instead, our doctors took a gentle imprint of her cheek and made a custom mould that fitted it exactly. Over just a few short, painless visits, the radiation targeted only the lump — leaving everything else untouched.
The result: The cancer disappeared completely. No surgery, no pain, no scar. She went home smiling, looking exactly like herself.
Patient details changed to protect privacy. Result documented at KCC.
"Humbling, and inspirational session from Kathmandu Cancer Center — the breadth of what they do reminds us of what is possible."
International recognition
A team you can trust — right here in Nepal
Our doctors are internationally recognised experts who regularly speak at global cancer conferences in Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. The expertise is here. The equipment is here.
Cancer Specialist
Programme lead. International speaker, Curietherapy 2024, Montréal. Specialises in complex, deep-organ, and head & neck internal radiation.
Cancer Specialist
Keynote speaker, Australasian Brachytherapy Group 2024, Hobart. Specialises in women's cancers and complex returning cases.
Radiation Expert
Award-winning presenter, MESRO 2024, Riyadh. Over 2,000 internal radiation procedures. Leads skin and facial cancer treatment at KCC.
Scan & Image Specialist
Uses precise CT scans to guide radiation to deep organs — lung and liver — without open surgery.
Scan & Image Specialist
CT-guided ablation for lung and liver tumours. Works alongside Dr. Suwal — two imaging specialists on one team is unusual even at larger centres.
Head & Neck Surgeon
Works side-by-side with our radiation team to save organs and natural appearance in mouth, tongue, and facial cancers.
Head & Neck Surgeon
Specialist in lip, cheek, and facial cancer surgery. Decides together with the radiation team when surgery is the answer — and when it isn't.
GI/HPB Oncosurgeon
Innovative intra-operative and laparoscopy-guided brachytherapy .
Send us your biopsy and scan reports on WhatsApp. Our medical team will review them and give you an honest answer — completely free, no referral needed, same day.
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