Radiation Oncology
Radiation Oncology is one of the vital cancer treatment modalities. It uses high-energy radiation or ionizing radiation beams to destroy, damage, or shrink tumor cells. Radiation Oncology is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment modality as it reduces damage to the surrounding tissues due to highly precise radiation delivery.
A wide range of cancers can be treated with radiation therapy. It may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery as a curative therapy or to mitigate cancer symptoms to relieve pain or alleviate other symptoms. It is also helpful in treating some non-cancerous (benign) tumors.
Radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. There are generally two types of radiation therapy - External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy.
Radiation therapy Team includes
- Radiation Oncologists
- Medical Physicists
- Radiation Therapy Technologists
- Radiation Oncology Nurses
- Dosimetrists
Shrimann AOI Cancer Care Centre is equipped with Halcyon® Radiation Therapy System, which is the latest and most advanced system that has transformed radiation therapy by providing sophisticated, highly targeted cancer treatment with precision and accuracy. It delivers high quality care by optimizing 3D conformal, Intensity- modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and RapidArc® Radiotherapy, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) treatments.
Halcyon® Radiation Therapy System allows to treat wide range of cancers of the head and neck, lungs, breasts, prostate, uterus and brain etc. to name a few. With Halcyon’s next generation dual-layer multi-leaf collimator (MLC), complex target cases can be treated successfully.
What Happens During The Procedure?
- Visualization of Tumour: With the help of quick imaging, tumour can be visualized and accurately targeted. Through a detailed 3D image, your doctor will now know the precise location, shape and size of the tumor. This will further help in determining the appropriate dose of radiation to be given and how to deliver it effectively.
- Planning of Treatment: The 3D image works as a guide to your doctor for developing a detailed treatment plan. This plan includes radiation dose that the cancer cells should receive and from which angles. During this phase, a treatment schedule will also be developed.
- Delivery of Treatment: During the treatment, your Radiation Therapist (RT) will position you on the treatment table and ensure that you are comfortable. Just prior to treatment, the RT will take the image to verify the exact size and location of the tumor.
Radiation will be delivered by a linear accelerator (linac), which will rotate around you as it projects the beam. The radiation beam from the treatment system conforms to the shape of your tumor thus minimizing impact on surrounding healthy tissue. You won’t be able to see anything rotating around you, as the rotating beam gantry is enclosed within the opening.
Integrated camera system and two-way intercom allows you to be in constant contact with your therapist.
How Long Will It Take?
The course of treatment varies from patient to patient depending upon the diagnosis. However, Halcyon® Radiation Therapy System at Shrimann Cancer Centre is four times faster than standard technology and the entire process take only a few minutes.
