Cancer Care
Radiation Oncology
What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation Oncology cures cancer non-invasively with the help of X-rays and Gamma-Rays. It is an integral part of cancer care. The Nirali Cancer Hospital treats all types of cancers from head to toe using the latest available technology to maximise tumour control and minimise normal tissue damage. Considering the importance of Radiation therapy, this hospital has equipped itself with the best in class, high precision equipment and offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach.
Technology & Machines
Radiotherapy is administered via two broad techniques, External beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. External beam radiotherapy is delivered through linear accelerators. The department is equipped with the most advanced State of the art Varian True beam machines with high-definition multi-leaf collimators which can precisely treat the smallest of the cancer cells. In Brachytherapy, the radioactive source traverses within an applicator placed inside the body close to the cancer. This enables precise treatment with minimal side effects. The Hospital has 24 channel Gamma Medplus iX machine from Varian.
Services Offered
External Beam Radiation Therapy
For those tumours which move with respiration, especially lung cancers and pancreatic cancers. This technique increases the accuracy of treatment
Especially for left sided breast cancers, to reduce the radiation dose to the heart.
For precise treatment of minute cancers especially in the brain. Stereo-tactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereo-tactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) can be carried out with high accuracy with minimal normal tissue damage.
These techniques are carried out after multiple iterations using a complex algorithm in the treatment planning software. This technique involves fusion of images to ascertain the treatment volume.
This is a simple and accurate treatment technique for almost all cancers.
Used in most palliative treatments which are aimed at relieving pain.
High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy:
- Intra-cavitary Brachytherapy
- Interstitial Brachytherapy
- Intraluminal Brachytherapy
- Mould Brachytherapy
Department Staff:
Doctors who Diagnose, Plan and Monitor treatment
Experts who plan using complex software, take care of the machines and ensure protection of the patients and staff from radiation.
Experts who carry out day-to-day treatment with precision. Experts in operating the machine and patient care.
Provide compassionate care to the patient and assist in each and every step of the radiation therapy
Help in patient care.
The process in radiation therapy:
Radiation oncologists evaluate the case after carefully noting down the history, reviewing relevant investigations and propose a treatment plan. This treatment plan will be discussed among other experts like Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists and others before a final plan is approved.
The patient is placed on a flat couch in a particular position using immobilization devices to reduce day-to-day error in positioning. A Contrast CT scan is taken in this position.
The Radiation oncologist will then evaluate the images and mark the areas to be treated as well as organs to be spared. The Medical Physicists then work on planning to achieve the desired goals set by the Radiation oncologists.
After acceptable dose distribution in the radiotherapy plan, the patient is called for treatment. All the expert staff including Radiation oncologists, Medical Physicists, Radiation Therapists and nursing staff ensure safe delivery of the prescribed radiation.
Once in a week, the Radiation oncologist reviews the process of radiation therapy and prescribes medicines for probable side effects.