Radio oncology is a medical specialty in which ionized radiation is used in the treatment of cancer. Regulated dosage of high energy radiation is used as to treat cancer. Cancer cells die immediately when the radiation is passed. In some cases the radiation kills the chromosome and DNA which in turn loses the ability to divide, there by killing the tumor.

The renowned Radiation Department boasts of a variety of cutting edge technology and equipment. Some of them are:

Rapid arc facility

Rapid arc therapy is one of the most advanced and pioneer technique in the treatment of cancer. Unlike the traditional radiology methods, rapid arc is very precise which makes the patience feel more comfortable, that they never feel like getting treated. They just walk out as simple as they walk in.

The advantage of rapid arc is, the time it consumes for the treatment is only 2 to 3 minutes, maximum up to 6 minutes with the radiation concentrated only on the tumor, there by other parts receiving very minimal radiation.

IGRT (image guided radiation therapy)

Image guided radiation therapy is a technique in which the machine delivers a linear accelerated radiation and captures the image of the respective tumor. The physician compares the received image with the image already captured during the stimulation process

IGRT is mainly used to treat tumors located in the parts that are prone to movement such as lungs (affected by breathing), liver and prostate gland. It is also used in tumors situated near a critical gland or tissue.

The most advanced equipments used in this protocol are

• On brand imager


• cone beam ct.

ARIA 10 (Eclipse 10)

It is an added credit to promulgate that Billroth is the only medical institution to acquire the aria 10 solution first in India.

It is an information system in which comprehensive information, image management is made legitimate and provides an overall information on oncology

It is the combination of radiation, medical and surgical oncology into an oncology specific EMR, that allows the physician to track the patients entire journey right from diagnosis and post treatment follow up.

DVMAT

In this kind of therapy, the radiation machine rotates around the patient to inject a sharp focused radiation into the affected cell, there by sparing the other healthy tissues around.

This is done by pointing out several beam of radiation from infinite angles. More to emphasis on accuracy 3D images at ultra doses are obtained, which assures that the technician is so quick and accurate in locating the position of tumor, prior to the treatment.

This arc based radiation therapy makes the radiation oncologist to treat the tumor located in the critical position. i.e. around an organ

Stereotactic radio surgery (SRS)

It does not involve any surgical process as the name sounds. This therapy was initially implemented for brain tumors.

A pr cised radiation is injected at a much higher dose to the affected area to about 2mm and only a minimal dose to the nearby non affected healthy tissues

The treatment process does not cause any pain. The physician monitors the whole process through the camera attached. The patient can converse with the doctor and vice-versa through the microphone if required. The treatment process lasts around 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

SBRT is a radiation process in which a high dose of radiation is passed on to the affected cells (tumors), there by sparing the damage of other healthy tissues around. Radiation will be injected from different position to the patient body to meet the target effectively

We use SBRT to treat tumors also. Other main organs that can be treated are lungs, liver, adrenal glands and spine. This treatment comprises 3 to 5 stages

The above cutting technology enables the Hospital to:

• Reduce treatment times: 2to 3 minutes only it is 8 times faster than the conventional IMRT


• Patient movements are controlled, which is very critical in treating a patient


• Online monitoring of patient movements helps accurate therapy


• Remote patient re-positioning saves time and money

It involves the process of systemic medication, which controls the further proliferation of the cancer cells and also killing them completely by providing systemic medication.

In Billroth we have a specialized medical oncology team to deal cancer cells with more systemic protocols like chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy and latest biological treatments.

Chemotherapy involves use of drugs orally or intravenously in combating the cancer along with other modalities

The centre has a team of qualified and experienced medical oncologists who prescribe standard protocols and regimens that offer the greatest chance of cure with cost effectiveness. Surgical oncology is a branch of surgery that was applied in the treatment of cancer before the age of medical oncology. This was the only method used in the only remedy for cancer in yester years. It is nothing but a surgical method involved in the treatment of cancer.

Before the actual surgical process, the physician gets the previous history of the patient which gives him a overall idea about the treatment and its after effects. This also helps him to determine whether the cancer has any chance and decides for further surgical progression.

The main aim of the medical oncologist is to remove the cancer cells along with some amount of nearby healthy tissues. This process is called clear margin or clear excision. Clear margin is to make sure of non-recurring of cancer.

In contrary cases the tumor cannot be removed completely. During such situation the physician undergo a technique called debulking to remove as much tumor as possible and get of symptoms like pain, airway obstruction and bleeding. The contribution of surgical oncologist becomes high in case of debulking. They provide expert advice on biopsy, optimal image guidance and what role, if necessary.

The surgical oncology team of the Hospital has to its credit, a wide range of surgeries and cancer treatments like:

• Breast conservation surgery and mastectomies - Breast Cancer


• Gynaecologic and Urologic Surgeries - Uterus and Ovary tumours.


• Gastric & Colorectal Cancers including Sphincter sparing surgery using staplers.


• Head and Neck Surgery with facilities for Plastic and Microvascular Reconstruction.


• Limb Sparing Surgery (LSS) - Bone and Soft Tissue Tumours.<


• Thoracic Surgery - Oesophageal Cancer.


• Breast Cancer


• Uncommon, Complex Tumors


• Head and Neck Cancers


• Gynaecologic Cancer


• Colorectal Cancer


• Prostate Cancer


• Urological Cancer


• Lung Cancer


• Melanoma of the Head, Neck and Leg Skin Malignancy (Sce,Bcc, Melanoma)


• Soft Tissue Sarcoma & Musculoskeletal Cancer ( Soft tissue & Bone sarcoma)


• Minimally Invasive/Laparoscopic Oncology Surgery


• Gastrointestinal malignancies of the stomach, large bowel, pancreas and biliary tract


• Endocrine tumors of the thyroid and parathyroid glands