| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE : More cancer patients will now be able to receive faster and more precise radiation treatments as one of Singapore's two national cancer centres beefs up its facilities.
The National University Cancer Institute, Singapore's (NCIS) Radiation Therapy Centre is adding another Linear Accelerator machine to its existing two. New features will also be added.
The investment costs S$11.5 million.
In anticipation of a surge in the number of people seeking radiation therapy, the centre is now equipped with one of the few and latest arc-based techniques called the Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT).
It allows beams to be delivered around the patient instead of just one direction.
The centre said it's the first in Singapore to have it.
"VMAT is one type of arc therapy which uses a 360 degree of radiation and it gives continuous delivery of radiation during the whole course of the treatment - it's called the arc therapy. VMAT is a type of Intensity Modulated Therapy but it provides a much shorter time for treatment," explained Associate Professor Jiade Lu, head of Radiation Oncology Department, at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore.
With VMAT, treatment time can be reduced from 12 minutes to two minutes.
The upgrade also means the machines, which are enabled with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), can provide 3-D images.
The conventional machine provides a 2-D image, but it does not show the tumour.
The upgraded machine has two additional side panels which provides a 3-D imaging. It shows not only the tumour, but the soft tissue and normal organs surrounding it as well.
"If we can visualise the tumour every time before we treat the patient, on a daily basis, then we know we're targeting exactly (where) we want to target. So the doctors will feel more confident and the procedure will be improved because we can see it directly," said Associate Professor Lu.
The new treatment methods also allow therapists to use a lower dose of radiation to treat patients, so side effects like dry mouth and skin irritation are expected to be reduced.
The centre said the switch will take place in stages and the first of the machines will be operational from August this year.
Last year, the centre saw some 850 cancer patients who required radiation.
Assoc Prof Lu said the upgrade will mean the centre can treat more patients - by up to 4 times its current capacity.
"If we're reducing the treatment time for 50 per cent of the time, and we're increasing the number of facility as well, for the centre, it means we are able to help a lot more patients who will need cancer therapy," said Assoc Prof Lu.
Depending on the treatment, there might be additional procedures involved and the centre said the cost increase will be capped at 15 per cent.
It is estimated that by 2020, there will be 10,000 new cancer cases a year. - CNA /ls
|
