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Cancer Care Services & Supports
- Breast Center
- Thyroid & Parathyroid Center
- Endocrine Center
- Foregut Task Force Center
- Gynecological Oncology
- Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Center
- Thoracic Oncology Center
- Head & Neck Oncology and Cancer Center
- Surface Malignancy Center
- Sarcoma & Melanoma
- Neurosurgery & Spine Oncology Center
- Colorectal Oncology Center
- Uro-Oncology Center
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Oncology Center
- Medical Oncology & Hematology Center
- Palliative Care & Pain Management Center
- Paediatric Surgical Oncology
- Advanced Interventional Gastroenterology Center
- Interventional Radiology
- Hyperbaric Oxygen
- Complementary & Alternative Medicine
- Intensive Care Service
- Nutritional Support
- Cancer Care Services
Radiation Oncology Centre
A state-of-the-art Radiation Oncology Centre operated by a world-class team follows international protocols for quality assurance, patient care, treatment, and follow-up. All cases are reviewed by a highly specialized Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) during tumor boards and clinics, which includes radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, pathologists, medical oncologists, subspecialty surgical oncologists, supportive care experts, and molecular genetics specialists. This team meets regularly to ensure every patient receives the highest international standards of oncology care.
What is Radiation?
Radiation is energy moving from one place to another, either through waves or particles. High-energy radiation, such as x-rays, has the ability to change or destroy cells. Radiation therapy uses these high-energy x-rays or proton beams to target and destroy cancer cells.
Goals of Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is overseen by radiation oncologists and is designed to destroy cancer cells and slow tumor growth, while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Its goals include:
- Primary treatment: Used as the main treatment for certain cancers.
- Adjuvant therapy: Given after surgery or chemotherapy to destroy remaining cancer cells.
- Palliative therapy: Used when complete removal isn’t possible, aiming to shrink tumors, relieve symptoms such as pain or pressure, and improve quality of life.
More than half of people with cancer receive some form of radiation therapy. In some cancers, radiation alone is effective, while in others it is combined with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy for better outcomes.
External-Beam Radiation Therapy
The most common type of radiation therapy, external-beam radiation therapy, delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. It can be precisely targeted to small regions or used to treat larger areas when necessary.
Radiation Therapy Techniques
A machine called a linear accelerator (linac) generates the radiation beam for x-ray or photon radiation therapy. Advanced computer software adjusts the beam’s size and shape to precisely target the tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Treatments are typically delivered daily (Monday–Friday) over several weeks. Form-fitting supports or custom plastic mesh masks (for head, neck, or brain cancers) help patients remain still during treatment for maximum accuracy.
Types of External-Beam Radiation Therapy
- Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT): Uses 3D imaging from CT or MRI scans to precisely target the tumor, allowing higher radiation doses while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): A more advanced form of 3D-CRT. IMRT varies the intensity within each beam, giving better tumor coverage and improved protection for surrounding healthy tissue.
- Proton Beam Therapy: Uses high-energy protons instead of x-rays. Protons stop at the tumor site without passing beyond, reducing damage to nearby healthy tissues. This requires specialized equipment and is available only at select centers.
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Allows continuous imaging during treatment to ensure accurate targeting and minimize harm to healthy tissues.
- Stereotactic Radiation Therapy: Delivers very high doses of radiation to small, well-defined tumor areas in one or a few sessions. Immobilization devices (head frames, molds) are used to keep patients still for precise delivery.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive material directly inside or next to the tumor. Implants may be temporary or permanent. Depending on the type, some patients may require a short hospital stay. For gynecological and other cancers, brachytherapy channels are placed in the operating theater as a day-care procedure, followed by treatment with a brachytherapy machine.
Workflow in a Radiation Oncology Department
- Outpatient consultation by a qualified radiation oncologist
- Investigations and tissue diagnosis leading to complete oncological staging
- Tumor Board discussion and comprehensive management plan
- CT, PET-CT, or MRI-based simulation with immobilization (mould room procedures)
- Contouring of organs at risk and delineation of tumor targets per international guidelines
- Treatment planning by a team of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and dosimetrists
- Quality assurance of machines and individual treatment plans
- Treatment delivery ranging from a single day to 7–8 weeks, depending on case
- Daily patient monitoring during therapy sessions
- Intra- and inter-fraction monitoring for maximum precision
- Weekly or biweekly blood work and clinical evaluations
- Follow-up as per international oncology guidelines
Patient information brochures (PDFs) can be provided as per treatment site for further guidance.