Through our comprehensive cancer care approach, we provide a truly multidisciplinary management of cancer through our tumour board, with the involvement of various experts such as surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists in each patient’s care.
The speciality of Radiation Oncology at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital provides highly specialised, individualised and comprehensive radiotherapy care to patients with cancers and also treatment for some benign conditions. We have a highly experienced team of Radiotherapy staff who are committed to providing treatment in a personalised, evidence-based, state-of-the-art and, most importantly, patient centric manner.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is the treatment of cancers using ionising radiation to destroy or control cancer cells. It is estimated that radiotherapy cures around 40% of certain types of cancer, either on its own or in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Where cure is not possible, it can be effectively used to control cancer or alleviate symptoms such as pain, bleeding etc. It is an integral part of the cancer treatment in one out of two patients diagnosed with cancer, at some point during their cancer journey. It is also used to treat some benign conditions that cannot be controlled by other methods, such as surgery.
Radiotherapy treatments may be delivered in several ways, using different types of radiation, with external beam radiotherapy using photons being the common method. With the advance of technology, various techniques are used to precisely target the area of concern, while sparing the normal surrounding structures.
The course of radiation is prescribed on an individual basis, dependent on size, type and location of the problem, as well as the individual’s general health. Each patient’s treatment is planned individually and delivered by a team of highly qualified experts in the field including radiation oncologists, physicists, radiation therapists and dosimetrists.
How is radiation therapy delivered?
Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital uses the latest advanced radiation therapy techniques and technology to deliver accurate and safe radiation to tumours. We use a state of the art Varian Truebeam linear accelerator with on board imaging for image guidance and respiratory gating for complex treatments such as DIBH and SBRT. The treatment is usually delivered each day (Sunday to Thursday) over a variable number of weeks. This allows the radiation to target cancer cells and provides healthy cells an opportunity to recover, over the weekend.
External beam radiation does not make you radioactive therefore it is safe for patients to be around other people, including children and pregnant women.