29th August 2009, Madurai
Cancer has become one of the ten leading causes of death in India. It is estimated that there are nearly 2 - 2.5 million cancer cases at any given point of time. Over 7 lakh new cases and 3 lakh deaths occur annually due to cancer. Awareness, early diagnosis & effective and efficient treatment protocols are the only options available to dramatically bring down the mortality figures.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Rohini Sridhar, Chief Operating Officer & Director Medical Services disclosed Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai with full time consultants in Medical, Surgical & Radiation oncology backed by well trained physicists and onco-trained nurses and paramedics had been doing outstanding work in this part of the country. And with this addition of state-of-the-art Oncology Block equipped with South Tamilnadu‘s latest and most advanced Linear Accelerator becomes one of the handful centres in the country for advanced cancer treatment facility. This new facility brings with it advance facility such as,
LINEAR ACCELERATOR (LINAC):
The Linear accelerator (LINAC) is the machine most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients fighting cancer. The LINAC delivers a uniform dose of high- energy X-Rays/ Electrons to the region of the patient‘s tumor. These X-Rays can destroy the cancer cells, while sparing the surroundings normal tissue. The radiation beam comes out of the accelerator, which can rotate around the patient. The patient lies on a moveable treatment table and lasers are used to make sure the patient
is in the proper position for treatment. Radiation can be delivered to the tumor from any angle. The radiation oncologist will customize each patient‘s treatment to prevent normal areas of the body from receiving any unwanted radiations.
3 DIMENTIONAL CONFORMAL RADIATION THERAPY: (3DCRT)
Delivering a high concentrated and conformed dose to the tumour and minimal dose to the normal tissues of the body by targeting the tumour from different angles and distributing the dose between number of beams
INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT)
This latest technologies in radiation treatment allow radiation beams to focus on the cancerous tissue area without affecting healthy tissues. Controlling the dose of radiation can be accomplished using the linear accelerator and varying the intensity of the beam at different angles from the target. IMRT uses both of these methods of beam control to deliver radiation more precisely than ever before.
IMAGE GUIDED RADIATION THERAPY (IGRT)
IGRT is an automated system that uses high-resolution X-Rays (kV beam) to produce contrasting images of cancerous tumours and surroundings normal tissue. Since it is natural for some movement of tumours due to a patient‘s normal breathing or other movements, it can be challenging to locate the tumour precisely during radiation therapy.
On board imager allows physicians to target the cancerous more preciously during daily treatment, thereby ensuring that the healthy tissues are not exposed to radiation.
3 DIMENSIONAL TREATMENT PLANNING:
The 3- dimensional treatment planning system allows the cancer team to plan and treat with literally hundreds of beams, each especially shaped and coming from different angles to target small, fairly stationary targets surrounded by a large volume of normal
tissue. This powerful treatment method spaces the surrounding normal from unnecessary radiation exposure.
DYNAMIC ADAPTIVE RADIOTHERAPY (DART):
The latest state-of-art technology DART where 4 dimensional conformal radiotherapy is executed. We have Real time Position Management (RPM) system which synchronizes breathing motion with image acquisition. Radiation beam is gated to when the target falls within the treatment field.
Ms Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals group revealed, At Apollo, the nation‘s best healthcare professionals work with a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach, supported by the latest technology. Apollo imparts cancer treatment through a Tumour board which comprises a panel of competent Medical, Surgical and Radiation Oncologists together with diagnostic consultants who discuss referred cases and jointly decide on the best line of treatment for the patient. The Hospital also supports patients, helping them improve their quality of life post-treatment with the help of medical counsellors, speech therapists, dieticians and other professionals, appropriate to the individual case.
Shri M K Alagiri, Hon‘ble Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers lighted the ceremonial Kuthuvilakku to mark the inauguration of the State-of-the-art Oncology Block & the South Tamilnadu‘s Latest and Most advanced Linear Accelerator with Onboard imager.
Mr. T N Sekar, General Manager, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, while delivering vote of thanks revealed “Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai is equipped with facilities on par with the best in the world. The most modern technology and equipment, in addition to highly skilled healthcare professionals deliver comprehensive care for the entire range of diseases. This hospital is a boon to people of South Tamil Nadu, bringing world-class healthcare closer to you.
About Apollo Hospitals
Apollo for over 25 years has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting edge research. With a network of over 8000 beds at culturally diverse locations, over 4000 top class clinicians and total employee strength of 60,000 professionals, we are one of the largest hospital groups in the world and our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services.
For more information visit: www. apollohospitals.com