LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UofL Health has been designated a GammaTile Center of Excellence (COE) and is among the first in Kentucky to receive this designation. GammaTile is an FDA-cleared, bioabsorbable collagen implant embedded with radiation seeds, designed for patients with operable brain tumors. At UofL Health, GammaTile is offered through the multidisciplinary neuro-oncology team at UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center, UofL Health – UofL Hospital and UofL Physicians – Neurosurgery, part of UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute.
The adoption of GammaTile has elevated UofL Health’s commitment to advancing patient care and is helping to pave the way for the future of brain tumor treatment.
The following providers at UofL Health have been recognized for their contributions to this achievement:
- Adrianna Masters, M.D., Ph.D., Radiation Oncologist
- Akshitkumar Mistry, M.D., Neurosurgeon
- Brian Williams, M.D., Neurosurgeon
- Keith Sowards, MS, Medical Physicist
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, there will be nearly 25,000 malignant brain or spinal cord tumors diagnosed in the U.S. among both adults and children. Traditional radiation therapies often require a healing period of two to six weeks after tumor removal surgery, delaying the start of treatment and allowing the remaining cancer cells time to proliferate. Additionally, these external methods direct radiation through the brain to reach the tumor site, exposing healthy brain tissue to radiation and often leading to side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue and cognitive impairments, which significantly impact quality of life.
GammaTile is placed at the time of tumor removal surgery, ensuring patients receive no delay in radiation treatment, providing immediate, localized treatment. By delivering radiation from the inside, directly at the tumor site, GammaTile targets remaining cancer cells when they are at their lowest levels to help prevent regrowth, while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue.
The GammaTile COE program recognizes doctors for their commitment to improving outcomes and quality of life for their patients with operable brain tumors. Institutions designated as GammaTile COEs have demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise in the GammaTile procedure by meeting specific clinical criteria, annual operable brain tumor case minimums and ongoing education requirements.
“UofL Health and the Department of Neurological Surgery at University of Louisville School of Medicine are committed to transforming patients’ lives through compassionate, patient-centered care, innovative research and education,” said Brian Williams, M.D., neurosurgeon with UofL Physicians – Neurosurgery, part of UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute, and part of the multidisciplinary neuro-oncology team at UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center. “Recognition as one of the first GammaTile Centers of Excellence in Kentucky reflects our commitment to the community to bring world-class care to the commonwealth.”
