Radiation Oncology
The facilities run by Medicana Health Group are happy to provide complete radiation oncology services. High-precision radiation therapy is a specialty of our skilled team of radiation oncologists who treat cancer and other diseases.
High-energy radiation is used in the specialist field of oncology, known as radiation oncology, to destroy cancer cells and reduce tumor size. Our specialists use modern tools and technology to give precise, efficient treatments with few side effects.
1. CyberKnife
Modern radiation therapy equipment called the CyberKnife is utilized to treat cancer. It is a non-invasive, incredibly accurate system that employs cutting-edge robotics and image-guiding technologies to target tumors precisely with high doses of radiation. This minimizes radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues and organs while enabling the radiation to reach the cancer.
In contrast to conventional radiation therapy, CyberKnife may deliver numerous radiation beams at various angles, resulting in a 3D radiation dose distribution that can take the tumor's shape. As a result, the treatment becomes more effective and less harmful to healthy tissues.
A 6-axis robot is utilized by the CyberKnife system to accurately place the treatment head, which can move in all directions and administer radiation to the tumor. The robot is controlled by image-guidance technology, which continuously monitors the tumor's location and modifies the radiation beams in real time to keep cancer in the treatment field.
A variety of tumors, including those in the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreatic, prostate, and other parts of the body, are treated with CyberKnife. Patients with cancers who have previously had surgery or other forms of radiation therapy can also receive it.
Because CyberKnife is an outpatient operation, patients can return home the same day and carry out their regular activities with minor limitations. Its high precision and accuracy make CyberKnife a popular alternative for patients seeking non-invasive and efficient radiation therapy.
It's vital to highlight that only our Medicana Ankara Hospital offers cutting-edge and efficient cyberknife treatment, giving foreign patients, travelers, and expats in Turkey access to it. Every patient receives individualized, compassionate care from our team of professional and experienced radiation oncologists, who collaborate closely with other specialists to guarantee the best outcome. Medicana is, without a doubt, the best option for radiation oncology care because of our dedication to using cutting-edge technology and evidence-based procedures.
2. Consultation and Planning
A critical stage of radiation therapy treatment involves consultation and planning. A radiation oncologist, a doctor with training and experience in using radiation to treat cancer and other disorders, sees patients in this setting. The radiation oncologist will learn in-depth details about the patient's health history, present condition, and kind of cancer during this appointment. To help develop an extensive treatment plan, they will also conduct a complete physical examination and analyze any imaging scans or test findings.
The consultation and planning stage aims to gather as much information as possible to help the radiation oncologist choose the optimal course of therapy for the patient. Discussing the advantages and disadvantages of various radiation therapy alternatives, such as external beam radiation, brachytherapy, or CyberKnife, as well as taking into account any potential side effects or dangers connected with each choice, may be part of this.
The radiation oncologist will also work closely with them to help the patient and their family understand the course of treatment and what to anticipate during and after the therapy. Patients should take advantage of the consultation and planning stage to express any questions or concerns regarding their radiation therapy treatment.
As a result, the consultation and planning stage is a crucial phase in the radiation therapy process. It aids in ensuring that each patient receives a customized, efficient, and safe treatment based on their needs and medical condition.
3. Simulation
A crucial part of radiation therapy treatment involves simulation. It entails modeling the anatomy and tumor of the patient virtually. This aids radiation oncologists in treatment planning and helps them pinpoint the target area's exact position, dimensions, and form. Typically, to produce a 3D model of the patient's anatomy, the simulation procedure utilizes specialist imaging methods like CT, MRI, or PET scans.
The patient is positioned similarly throughout the simulation as they will be during the actual therapy. The radiation oncologist carefully plans the treatment using this information, taking into account the tumor's size and shape as well as the surrounding organs and tissues. This increases the likelihood of a good outcome while ensuring the radiation is delivered as efficiently and accurately as possible.
In conclusion, simulation is an essential element in the radiation therapy process, ensuring the patient will have the most outstanding results. This helps reduce potential adverse effects and provides the most efficient radiation delivery to the target area by enabling accurate planning and targeting of the therapy.
4. Treatment Delivery
Treatment The radiation therapy is administered to the patient during the delivery phase of radiation oncology. The radiation beams are given to the targeted area of the body during this phase while the patient is lying on a treatment couch, as decided upon during the consultation and planning step. Depending on the type of cancer, the location, and the specific treatment plan, the radiation can be administered in a series of fractions over weeks or in a single high-dose treatment.
Modern radiation therapy devices, like the Cyberknife, deliver highly targeted, precise radiation beams directly to the tumor, minimizing the chance of damaging nearby healthy tissue. A group of highly skilled experts, including radiation therapists, dosimetrists, and radiation oncologists, carry out the treatment delivery procedure to guarantee that the patient receives the most excellent care and outcomes.
The ultimate objective of therapy delivery is to successfully eradicate cancer cells while reducing the possibility of side effects and maintaining the patient's comfort throughout the procedure.
5. Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Radiation oncology uses image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) to deliver more accurate and precise radiation. It involves acquiring real-time photographs of the target area before and during radiation therapy using imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. This makes it possible for the radiation oncologist to precisely locate the tumor and modify the radiation dosage as necessary.
The use of IGRT provides numerous advantages for radiation therapy patients. With the use of IGRT, the radiation oncologist can better target the tumor precisely, lowering the danger of damaging nearby healthy tissue, minimizing side effects, and enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment as a whole. Additionally, IGRT can aid in locating and tracking alterations in the position and size of the tumor, enabling more accurate treatment planning and administration.
Overall, IGRT is a very sophisticated and successful technology in radiation oncology, and its application has recently increased. Our radiation oncologists at Medicana are highly skilled and experienced in employing IGRT, and we are dedicated to giving our patients the best possible care.
6. Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT)
Radiation therapy, called stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), targets a specific location of the body with high doses of radiation while exposing nearby healthy tissue to the least amount of radiation possible. It is frequently used to treat various cancers as well as small, well-defined tumors such as brain, lung, and liver tumors.
The target tissue is precisely localized to begin the operation through imaging methods like CT scans or MRI scans. The tumor and surrounding tissue are then meticulously mapped in three dimensions using these photos. During the procedure, a highly sophisticated machine sends radiation beams from various angles to the tumor. When the radiation beams collide at the target spot, a substantial dosage of radiation is delivered to the cancer. At the same time, the exposure to nearby healthy tissue is kept to a minimum.
One of the main advantages of SRT is that it may be administered in fewer treatments—often from one to five—than conventional radiation therapy, which might take several weeks to complete. For patients who might not be able to withstand a longer course of therapy or for those who reside far from a treatment facility, this makes SRT an appealing choice.
SRT also has the benefit of delivering a larger radiation dose to the tumor in a shorter period, making it more efficient for treating some cancers. Additionally, SRT frequently results in fewer side effects than other types of radiation therapy and often requires only a tiny skin incision or none at all.
SRT is a very accurate and successful radiation therapy technique that can be an excellent choice for patients with small, clearly defined tumors. If you're thinking about SRT, speaking with a licensed radiation oncologist is crucial to see if it's the best course of action for you.
7. Brachytherapy
By inserting a radioactive source right into or close to the malignancy, brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It is additionally referred to as implant radiation therapy or internal radiation therapy. External beam radiation therapy, in which the radiation is administered from a device outside the body, is distinct from this sort of radiation therapy.
Brachytherapy is used to treat a variety of cancers, including breast, head & neck, prostate, and gynecological cancers. In brachytherapy, the radioactive source is typically put into or close to the malignancy as a seed, a tiny wire, or an applicator. The type of cancer being treated and the specifics of each patient will determine the course of the treatment and the radioactive material employed.
One benefit of brachytherapy is the ability to provide a higher radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues. This is because the radiation's spread is constrained by the radioactive source's placement inside the malignancy. Another benefit is that, unlike external beam radiation therapy, which necessitates numerous treatments, brachytherapy is sometimes administered in just one or a few brief doses.
Brachytherapy does, however, have specific possible adverse effects, such as skin rashes, radiation exposure to the bladder or rectum, and an elevated risk of tissue damage if the radioactive source is not positioned correctly. Before receiving brachytherapy, patients should review all potential risks and benefits with their doctor.
In conclusion, brachytherapy is a crucial component of the fight against cancer because it allows for accurate, focused radiation delivery to the disease while limiting exposure to healthy tissues nearby. It should be taken into account as part of a personalized treatment plan because it is an efficient substitute for external beam radiation therapy for some forms of cancer.
8. Follow-Up Care
After radiation therapy, the patient's treatment plan should include follow-up care. With the help of this care, the patient's response to the medication is monitored, and any potential side effects or consequences are managed. The goal of follow-up care is to minimize any long-term effects of radiation therapy and to make sure the patient's recovery is as painless as possible.
A patient receiving follow-up care might attend routine appointments with the radiation oncologist and other healthcare professionals such as a nurse, social worker, or dietitian. To track their progress and evaluate whether the radiation therapy was successful, the patient will be subjected to several tests during these appointments, including physical examinations, imaging tests, and blood tests. If more treatment is required, the patient can potentially have surgery or more radiation therapy.
Patients may also get support and training on dealing with radiation therapy side effects and medical examinations. This might contain details on how to deal with exhaustion, skin responses, and bowel or bladder function adjustments. The care team may also offer resources for handling stress and emotional issues associated with the diagnosis and treatment.
Overall, follow-up care is a crucial part of radiation therapy and is made to guarantee that patients get the most excellent treatment and results. Patients can feel sure they get the best care possible to manage their illness and maintain their health and well-being by collaborating closely with their care team and following their advised follow-up schedule.
Foreign patients, visitors, and expatriates in Turkey can confidently pick Medicana for their radiation oncology requirements. We are a prominent provider of radiation oncology services in Turkey because of our reputation for providing care of the highest caliber, knowledgeable personnel, and state-of-the-art equipment.
Our radiation oncologists at Medicana have years of experience and employ cutting-edge tools and methods to provide our patients with the best results possible. We invite you to get in touch with us for more information about our services if you or a loved one is dealing with cancer or another illness that calls for radiation treatment. Our phone number is +90 850 460 1010, and our email address is [email protected].
