As India strides into the 21st century, the spectrum of disease has changed from mainly infectious diseases to more chronic disease (such as heart disease & diabetes), while cancer has assumed epidemic-like proportions. This is due partly to lack of awareness of health promotion & disease prevention as well as lack of amenities for early diagnosis and treatment.

At Jupiter's Centre for Cancer Care, we use a multidisciplinary approach when treating patients with radiotherapy. The Radiation Oncologist is assisted by a group consisting of a Radiation Physicist, a Radiation Safety Officer, and a Radiotherapist. Utilising sophisticated treatment planning technology, the specialised team is able to effectively treat tumours while minimising radiation-induced side effects.

What is radiotherapy?

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy uses different types of radiation like X-rays and high energy beams to target cancer cells and kill them. Radiotherapy for cancer may be used as a stand alone treatment or may be used along with other treatment options like chemotherapy and surgery.

Why Jupiter?

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Jupiter hospital provides patient-centric, state-of-the-art Radiotherapy treatment of international standards. We are equipped with a wide spectrum of conventional as well as high precision Radiation Oncology facilities and radiotherapy techniques such as-

• Conventional Radiotherapy
• 3D CRT - Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy
• IMRT - Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy
• IGRT- Image Guided Radiotherapy
• VMAT- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy
• SRS- Stereotactic Radio Surgery
• SRS - Stereotactic Radiotherapy

The Process Behind Radiation Oncology

Before Radiotherapy -

Simulation - Images of the area are taken with the help of CT/MRI/PET CT to mark the volume to be treated and accurately delineate the tumour as well as surrounding organs.

Treatment Planning - Once the planning technique is confirmed by the Radiation Oncologist the Medical Physicist works out a treatment plan and the plan consists of the dose distribution to the tumor and also the surrounding organs only when the tumor dose is maximum and dose to the surrounding organs are minimum

Quality Assurance - Medical physicist will do the pre-treatment quality assurance [QA] test to see if what has been planned is what is wanted.

During Radiotherapy -

• Patient is set up on the couch for the treatment and the para meters are set and checked manually before the CBCT [CT in treatment position] is taken. Then CBCT is compared with the initial pre planning CT and confirmed by the Radiation Oncologist
• Expect each session to last about 10 to 30 minutes. Most of that time is spent getting your body in the right position. During treatment, you'll lie on the table in the same way you did during planning. The same molds and props might be used to help hold you in place.
• Radiation is directed at the tumor either by single beam [direction] or multiple from a machine [LA] located away from the body
• The linear accelerator machine makes a buzzing sound. Also, it may rotate around your body to reach the target from different angles
• A series of treatment which could be anywhere between 1 single fraction to a maximum of 40 fractions over a period of time depending on the case
• Your radiation therapy team stays in a room nearby. You'll be able to speak to them through video and audio connecting your rooms. Although you shouldn't feel any pain from the radiation, do speak up if you feel uncomfortable.

After Radiotherapy - Once the patient completes the stipulated number of treatments, the patient is called for a follow up to do routine check up to assess the response and side effects of treatment.

Do’s and Don’ts during Radiotherapy -

• Keep yourselves well hydrated.
• Rest from time to time.
• Avoid spicy food.
• Eat variety of food in small quantities like fruits, vegetables, salads and snacks every two hours.
• Patients on long course of radiation treatments should increase consumption of water by 3-4 liters till the end of treatment.
• Salt-soda gargles are advised 5 to 6 times for patients undergoing treatment in the head and neck region.
• No tight clothing in the treatment site, avoid scratching also.
• Any citrus or salty food for nausea to keep at bay helps.
• No soap or oil or cream in the area of treatment.

Side Effect of Radiotherapy -

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