Johnson City Medical Center first in the region to offer GammaTile therapy for brain tumors

Ballad Health offers new therapy for patients with brain tumors, reducing side effects

Ballad Health recently began offering GammaTile radiation therapy at Johnson City Medical Center, a treatment option that reduces risk of tumor recurrence and can lessen side effects for some brain cancer patients.

GammaTile is about the size of a postage stamp and is implanted in the brain during surgery. After removing the brain tumor, a surgeon places a radiation-embedded tile in the tumor cavity, where it begins working immediately to destroy remaining cancer cells.

“GammaTile is significant because with traditional radiation, patients must wait up to six weeks to recover from surgery before beginning radiation treatment,” said Alessandra Cathel, DO, who performed the region’s first GammaTile procedure with her team. “This can be a great option for patients with brain cancer, which has been historically difficult to treat. That two-to-six-week lapse in traditional radiation treatment following surgery gives any remaining cancer cells time to grow, and GammaTile therapy attacks the cancer cells immediately after surgery, making it less likely for the tumor to return.”

Because the tile is placed in the cavity where the tumor was removed, the radiation is concentrated near remaining cancer cells while preserving healthy brain cells. This helps reduce side effects such as hair loss. The radiation treatment continues over several weeks following surgery, and the tile is absorbed by the body over time.

“We are proud to continue expanding our treatment options for brain cancer, ensuring that fewer patients need to travel outside the region for advanced care,” said Elizabeth Jackson, MD, chief medical officer at Johnson City Medical Center. “This therapy is a great option for certain glioblastoma patients and can help improve their quality of life much faster than with traditional radiation treatments.”

GammaTile therapy is the latest in a series of advanced cancer treatments introduced at Johnson City Medical Center. In recent months, the hospital has launched awake craniotomy procedures, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and hepatic artery infusion (HAI), expanding access to specialized cancer care in the Appalachian Highlands.

“No two cancer cases are exactly alike, which is why it’s important to offer different treatment options,” said Rebecca Beck, chief executive officer at Johnson City Medical Center. “We continue to invest in the latest technologies because it’s important that our patients have the option to have effective treatment right here at home. More than that, we’re proud to have a dedicated and knowledgeable surgical team to perform these life-extending procedures.”

Dr. Cathel began seeing patients at Johnson City Medical Center in late 2025. Originally from New Jersey, she came to the region as a neurosurgeon specializing in biopsies, fluid diversion, tumor resection and other oncology treatments. She’s board-certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery and completed her residency and fellowship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, respectively.

“Cancer treatment is always evolving, and offering the latest technologies is one of the best ways we can improve the quality of life for our patients,” Dr. Cathel said. “I’m grateful that our incredible surgery team can offer these options for patients battling cancer.”

Patients with new or recurrent brain tumors interested in GammaTile therapy should speak with their provider. Learn more about Johnson City Medical Center.