Key Takeaways
- A 3D printer at Kelowna’s B.C. Cancer centre is being used to create custom applicators for brachytherapy, a specialized form of internal radiation treatment for cervical, vaginal, and recurrent endometrial cancers.
- The custom applicators are formed to fit each patient’s unique body and specific contours of the tumour, targeting cancer with an unprecedented level of accuracy.
- The use of custom applicators can increase the radiation dose to the tumour while protecting normal structures, leading to improved outcomes for patients.
- The 3D printer was purchased through the donor-supported B.C. Cancer Foundation Equipment Fund, which enables centres to purchase specialized technology and fosters innovation.
- B.C. Cancer Kelowna is collaborating with other brachytherapy centers in British Columbia to help them establish similar programs.
Introduction to the 3D Printer Technology
A small-sized machine in the corner of a cluttered lab at Kelowna’s B.C. Cancer centre may look like any ordinary 3D printer, but it is a "first-in-Canada" tool that can revolutionize patient care for women battling cervical, vaginal, and recurrent endometrial cancers. The machine was pioneered by Dr. Deidre Batchelar, a medical physicist, who worked with a physician to develop the concept. They were frustrated with the limitations of traditional radiation treatment and wanted to find a way to provide more targeted and effective care for their patients. After lobbying for funding and working with a graduate student for over four years, Batchelar obtained the medical hardware and wrote specialized software to operate it.
The Development of Custom Applicators
The 3D printer uses each patient’s specific MRI and CT scans to create a custom, personalized applicator for brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is a specialized form of internal radiation treatment where applicators are inserted near cancerous tissue and guide the angle and depth of radiation treatment needles to the most effective spot to kill a tumour. Generic, commercial applicators are commonly used, but they may not be effective for gynecological cancers, which often appear in complex and varied anatomy. The custom applicators printed in Kelowna are formed to fit the patient’s unique body and specific contours of the tumour, targeting cancer with an unprecedented level of accuracy. This means that the radiation dose can be increased to the tumour while protecting normal structures, leading to improved outcomes for patients.
Benefits of Custom Applicators
The use of custom applicators has several benefits for patients. According to Dr. Hamad Raziee, a radiation oncologist at B.C. Cancer Kelowna, the custom applicator is more precise, which means that fewer needles are needed, creating a less invasive and more comfortable procedure for patients. This can lead to improved outcomes and reduced side effects. In 2025, B.C. Cancer Kelowna completed 31 procedures using the 3D-printed cylinder, and the centre is now working to expand the program to other brachytherapy centers in British Columbia.
Impact on Patient Care
The use of the 3D printer and custom applicators has the potential to make a significant impact on patient care for women with cervical, vaginal, and recurrent endometrial cancers. Each year, over 250 British Columbians are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and approximately 55 annual diagnoses are made in the Interior. Health Canada estimates that some 1600 women in Canada will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and approximately 400 will die from the disease. The use of custom applicators can help to improve outcomes for these patients and reduce the risk of complications.
Collaboration and Expansion
B.C. Cancer Kelowna is now actively collaborating with brachytherapy centers in Vancouver, Victoria, and Abbotsford, B.C., to help them establish similar programs. The centre purchased the $60,000 3D printer through the donor-supported B.C. Cancer Foundation Equipment Fund, which enables centres to purchase specialized technology and fosters innovation. The program has already won a B.C. Cancer Excellence Award in teamwork, and Dr. Batchelar and her team are working to expand the program to other centres in the province. By sharing their expertise and technology, B.C. Cancer Kelowna hopes to improve patient care and outcomes for women with gynecological cancers across British Columbia.