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.
In radiation oncology, a subspecialty of oncology, high-energy radiation destroys cancer cells and reduces tumor size. Our specialists use modern tools and technology to administer precise, efficient treatments with few side effects.
1. CyberKnife
The CyberKnife is modern radiation therapy equipment used to treat cancer. It is a noninvasive, 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.
The CyberKnife system utilizes a 6-axis robot to place the treatment head accurately, 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 It a popular alternative for patients seeking a noninvasive and efficient radiation therapy option.
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. This may involve discussing the advantages and disadvantages of various radiation therapy alternatives, such as external beam radiation, brachytherapy, or CyberKnife, and considering any potential side effects or dangers connected with each choice.
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.
Consequently, the consultation and planning stage is crucial in the radiation therapy process. It helps ensure 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 virtually modeling the patient's anatomy and tumor. 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 a period of 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. The treatment delivery procedure is carried out by a team of highly skilled experts, including radiation therapists, dosimetrists, and radiation oncologists, 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 radiation with greater accuracy and precision. IGRT 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 allows the radiation oncologist to precisely locate the tumor and modify the radiation dosage as needed.
IGRT provides numerous advantages for radiation therapy patients. With IGRT, the radiation oncologist can more precisely target the tumor, lowering the danger of damaging nearby healthy tissue, minimizing side effects, and enhancing the treatment's overall effectiveness. Additionally, IGRT can help locate and track tumor position and size alterations, 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.
To begin the operation, the target tissue is precisely localized using imaging methods like CT or MRI scans. Using these photos, the tumor and surrounding tissue are meticulously mapped in three dimensions. During the procedure, a highly sophisticated machine sends radiation beams from various angles to the cancer. When the beams collide at the target spot, a substantial dosage of radiation is delivered to the tumor, while 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 of time, which makes it more efficient for treating some cancers. Additionally, SRT frequently results in fewer side effects than other types of radiation therapy and frequently requires only a small skin incision or none at all.
SRT is a highly 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, it's crucial to speak with a licensed radiation oncologist to determine whether 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 and 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. Patients should review all potential risks and benefits with their doctor before receiving brachytherapy.
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. These appointments will include several tests to track the patient's progress and evaluate whether the radiation therapy was successful, including physical examinations, imaging tests, and blood tests. If more treatment is required, the patient can potentially have surgery or more radiation therapy.
In addition to medical examinations, patients may get support and training on dealing with the side effects of radiation therapy. This might include details on managing exhaustion, skin reactions, 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 designed to guarantee that patients get the best 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 choose Medicana for their radiation oncology needs. We are a prominent provider of radiation oncology services in Turkey because of our reputation for providing the highest-caliber care, 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].