CANCER SERVICES & SUPPORT

Cancer treatments can be cause physical and mental strain for even our most physically fit patients. We provide a transportation service to get you to and from your treatments with relative ease. For foreign patients, Southern Medical will assist you with travel and hotel arrangements for your trip. For further information call or email us at info@smctt.com.

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Chemotherapy​

 

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) are treatments used for treating cancer. These treatments comprises of Immunotherapy or Biological therapy, Hormonal therapy and Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is the traditional method for the treatment of cancer using various cytotoxic/cancer drugs. Immunotherapy uses larger protein biological molecules to treat certain types of cancer that  is cell specific and can be used in combination with traditional chemotherapy drugs. Hormonal therapy is also used in combination with traditional chemotherapy to treat certain types of cancer with examples being breast and prostate. Since cancer cells have varying growth rates, different types of chemotherapy drugs are used to target the growth pattern of specific types of cancer cells.  

Chemotherapy can be used in combination with surgery and radiation therapy to achieve the best results (this could be to cure, control or ease cancer symptoms). Immunotherapy targets certain receptors in the body to modify and control the growth and reproduction of cancer cells. The  Oncologists at SMC will help to choose the right treatment pathway  and to offer support in accessing cancer care.

  Main Purposes of Chemotherapy:

  • Shrink a tumor before surgery or radiation therapy (neo-adjuvant therapy).
  • Destroy cancer cells that may remain after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy).
  • Increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
  • Kill recurring cancer cells (recurrent cancer) or cancer that has spread to other organs (metastatic cancer). 

 How is chemotherapy delivered?. Chemotherapy can be administered orally or intravenously (directly into the vein via a cannula or a central venous access device).  While oral chemotherapy can be done at home, regular checkups at the hospital are required.

Intravenous chemotherapy can be administered in three ways:
  • Single injection (bolus)
  • Intravenous infusion (drip).
  • Continuous infusion (delivered through a pump that is worn continuously by the patient).

Immunotherapy/Biological therapy can be administered via:
  • Subcutaneous Injection
  • Intravenous Infusion (drip)

Hormonal therapy can be administered via:
  • Injection both subcutaneous and Intramuscular
  • Orally

Common Side Effects From Chemotherapy are:
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Low white blood cell count
  • Low red blood cell count
  • Low platelet count
  • Mucositis
  • Hair Loss
  • Dry Skin
  • Nail discoloration
  • Issues with Fertility

However there are numerous medications such as antiemetics, antidiarrheal, laxatives and mouthwashes to help curb some of the common side effects that one can experience from chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy​

Southern Medical Clinic revolutionized radiation therapy in the region with the implementation of a sophisticated  particle accelerator called a linear accelerator (LINAC).

The LINAC provides the capability of delivering conformal external beam radiotherapy via techniques such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT).

The LINAC is equipped with an on-board imaging system (OBI), which allows us to perform Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – a technique that allows our highly skilled professionals to visualize the site of treatment from an x-ray or cone beam CT before delivering the treatment.

The LINAC’s improved targeting capabilities results in greater dose localization to our tumor volumes and reduced exposure to surrounding organs at risk. This not only leads to better outcomes for our patients but fewer radiation induced side effects.

  This imaging capability ensures the accuracy of the treatment as we can monitor the position of visible tumors and sensitive organs during treatment. The LINAC’s improved targeting capabilities result in less damage to normal tissues and organs. This not only leads to a comfortable treatment option for patients but also results are more precise with improved tumor control and fewer side effects. 

 WHAT PATIENTS CAN EXPECT FROM THE RADIATION THERAPY PROCESS. The delivery of high precision radiation therapy requires complex, accurately calibrated equipment and highly specialised clinical and health professionals.  A patient can expect the following steps in the radiation therapy process at our Oncology Centre:

  CT SIMULATION: A CT simulation scan is performed to ascertain the position of the tumor as well as the position the patient should be in to receive treatment. This scan is performed by our skilled Radiation Therapists in our dedicated 64-slice CT scanner.  For the patient’s comfort and reproducibility of the setup, special immobilization devices are used. These immobilization devices are dependent on the position of the tumour site and aid with allowing for the most homogenous dose distribution in our treatment plan.  In the case of cancers of the head and neck a special thermoplastic mask is fabricated for the patient at the time of CT simulation.

  CONTOURING: Your Clinical Oncologist will contour the tumor volume that is intended to receive the prescribed dose together with the surrounding organs at risk.

  TREATMENT PLANNING: The Medical Physicist/Dosimetrist will create a treatment plan using all technical parameters of the LINAC to ensure optimal dose homogeneity to the tumor volume and minimal exposure to the surrounding organs at risk is achieved. This plan will then be reviewed and discussed by both Oncologist and Physicist to ensure the treatment criteria is being achieved before it is approved.

  QUALITY ASSURANCE: All radiation treatment plans are passed through a series of quality controls checks using specialized phantoms by our Medical Physicists to ensure the technical integrity of the plan is treatment worthy. Quality assurance pass rates are determined by protocols set out by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

TREATMENT DELIVERY

  • Patient’s medical record is reviewed by the radiation therapist (RT).
  • Treatment plan is loaded from the oncology information system to the linear accelerator by the RT.
  • Patient is aligned using lasers.
  • Imaging is done to verify accuracy of position.
  • Treatment is delivered

Cancer Support

    Support for Cancer patients and their families and caregivers is an important aspect of the holistic treatment offered at our Institution. We address not only the physical aspects of healing, but ensure that patients receive counseling  as we recognize the importance of managing the emotional and mental aspects of their wellness. 

The Objectives are:

  • To bring a feeling of hope to all those affected or afflicted with Cancer.
  • To create contacts and develop peer support and counseling.
  • To provide health education opportunities for the patient, family members and friends.

Explanations are provided to persons concerned so that their understanding of the disease is critical to how it’s being managed.

  • To facilitate coping mechanisms at all stages of a patient’s journey.
  • Empowerment- Assist patients in understanding treatment regimens; treatment options and side effects.
  • To reduce the isolation factor. For further information, contact: oncology@smctt.com

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