Advanced Radiation Oncology Treatments Offered
We at HCG Cancer Hospital provide a range of cutting-edge options for radiation
treatment that are customized to meet the unique therapeutic requirements of every
patient.
Planning for radiation therapy is a complex process, and various factors, including
the type of cancer, the tumor's size and location, the disease's stage, any previous
treatments, and the eventual treatment objective, are taken into consideration.
Radiation oncologists at HCG adhere to clinical standards supported by research and
internationally accepted safety requirements. By integrating state-of-the-art
imaging equipment, treatment planning software, and quality assurance methods, our
specialists at HCG strive to make sure that the radiation is delivered precisely to
the tumor while preserving healthy tissues nearby.
At HCG Cancer Hospital in Bangalore, we house high-end radiotherapy options like
CyberKnife Radiotherapy, Ethos Adaptive Radiation Therapy, and TomoTherapy H, which
facilitate precise and safe radiation therapy for a broad spectrum of cancers.
The following are the different radiotherapy treatment options available at HCG
Cancer Hospital.
External Beam Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation therapy, or EBRT for short, is a type of treatment that uses strong
radiation beams created outside the body with advanced machines called linear accelerators.
This technique allows radiation oncologists to direct and shape radiation beams according to the
size and location of the tumor. Numerous cancers, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate
cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, brain tumors, and head and neck cancer, are treated using EBRT.
Generally, radiation oncologists deliver EBRT over several sessions to enhance treatment
effectiveness and improve tissue protection.
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a precise radiotherapy technique wherein highly
advanced computer algorithms shape and regulate many tiny radiation beams.
By adjusting beam intensity at various angles, IMRT delivers high dosages directly to tumors while
reducing exposure to healthy tissues nearby.
This approach is particularly successful for irregularly shaped or complicated tumors, boosting
results while minimizing adverse effects.
Image-Guided Radiotherapy
Real-time imaging is used in image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) to confirm the tumor's position
both prior to and during each treatment session.
IGRT is particularly advantageous when tumors are close to vital organs or when breathing, bladder
filling, or weight fluctuations alter the internal architecture.
Adaptive Radiation Therapy
A very advanced adaptive technique called Ethos Adaptive Radiation Therapy enables radiation
treatment regimens to be modified in response to daily anatomical changes seen during therapy.
Adaptive radiation therapy helps maintain accuracy throughout the therapy among patients. Strict
quality assurance standards, specialized knowledge, and a comprehensive clinical evaluation are
necessary for the use of adaptive radiation treatment.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Stereotactic radiation therapy has the capacity to provide high-dose, highly focused radiation with
submillimeter precision while needing fewer treatment sessions than standard radiation therapy. When
tumors are tiny, well-defined, and situated close to sensitive areas, these methods are frequently
employed.
At HCG Bangalore, all radiotherapy platforms, namely CyberKnife, Ethos Adaptive Radiation Therapy,
and TomoTherapy H, employ motion tracking, computer-guided beam delivery, and sophisticated imaging
techniques to precisely target cancers through the SBRT technique.
SBRT is recommended to treat the cancers of the spine, lungs, and prostate. Appropriate patient
identification and preparation are essential for ensuring safety and effectiveness.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive radiation therapy that employs highly focused,
high-dose beams to target small, well-defined areas of the brain or body. Despite the name, it does
not involve any actual surgery.
SRS employs advanced imaging and precise placement to treat tumors, vascular abnormalities, or
functional limitations in one or two sessions, minimizing damage to healthy tissue while giving
greater local control.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
One type of treatment utilized in internal radiation therapy is brachytherapy. This treatment
involves inserting radioactive sources into or around the tumor. This technique makes it possible to
administer a high radiation dosage to the cancerous growth while reducing the amount of radiation
that nearby healthy tissues receive.
Brachytherapy is frequently used to treat a variety of thyroid and head and neck tumors, prostate
cancer, and gynecologic cancers. Brachytherapy can be used either alone or in conjunction with
external beam radiation therapy, depending on the desired outcome.
Depending on the patient's requirements, it can also be used as a temporary or permanent implant.
The therapeutic techniques are grounded in recognized oncologic criteria and necessitate the
knowledge and experience of a qualified specialist.
Hyperthermia-Assisted Cancer Treatment
By increasing the temperature of tumor tissues in a controlled environment, hyperthermia treatment
aims to enhance the biological effects of radiation therapy. In certain situations, hyperthermia may
make the tumor more sensitive to radiation when paired with radiation treatment. This is
particularly true when the cancer has returned or spread locally.
At HCG, hyperthermia-assisted therapy is only employed when clinically appropriate and combined with
therapeutic approaches. This treatment necessitates close observation, the use of specialist
technology, and collaboration from a range of academic fields to ensure the patient's safety.
Before determining whether to use hyperthermia, a physician assesses the patient. The choice to use
the treatment is subjective because certain malignancies do not react well to it.
