A Christchurch radiation therapist is combining clinical expertise, collaboration and 3D printing technology to help improve treatment options for people with gynaecological cancer.
As a Brachytherapy Specialist and Radiation Therapist at Christchurch Hospital, Alvin Kumar provides highly specialised radiation therapy for people with gynaecological and prostate cancers.
Alvin has led the development of a patient-specific, 3D-printed template for treating gynaecological cancers. The personalised template is designed for people with complex anatomy or tumour locations who may not be suitable for the standard devices used to deliver brachytherapy.
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy in which radiation is delivered close to or inside a tumour. This allows clinicians to target the cancer precisely while limiting the effect on nearby healthy tissue.
The new template supports safe, effective and efficient treatment, helping patients receive more timely, high-quality care.
“By tailoring the template to an individual patient’s anatomy and tumour location, we can accurately guide the placement of treatment needles, improve radiation dose coverage of the cancer and better protect surrounding healthy organs such as the bladder, bowel and rectum,” Alvin says.
The innovation may make this specialised treatment available to more patients, including those who were not suited to standard treatment methods. It also has the potential to support better treatment outcomes, reduce side effects and allow people to receive world-class care closer to home.
“What I enjoy most about being a brachytherapy specialist is working with a multidisciplinary team to solve problems and find innovative ways to improve treatment, knowing that what we do can have a real and lasting impact on patients’ lives,” Alvin says.
Developing the template brought together radiation oncologists, medical physicists, engineers, nurses and radiation therapists to turn a clinical challenge into a practical solution for patients.
Alvin grew up in Fiji and completed his radiation therapy training in Vancouver, Canada. After working as a radiation therapist in the United Kingdom, he joined the Christchurch oncology team in 2012. He has been a brachytherapy specialist for the past five and a half years.
Alvin’s contribution to his field was recently recognised with the Quality Improvement and Innovation Award at Health New Zealand’s 2026 Waitaha/Te Tai Poutini Allied Health, Scientific and Technical Awards.
This recognises significant contributions to patient care through research, innovation, service improvement, or development of new models of care.
“Winning this award is a tremendous honour, but it also reflects the work of an outstanding multidisciplinary team,” Alvin says.
“I’m grateful to work alongside such dedicated colleagues and proud that together we have created something that makes a meaningful difference for patients.”