Cancer is one of the most important diseases for which the medical world seeks treatment. Stating that smart radiotherapy has come to the fore in the world recently, Radiation Oncologist Prof. Dr. Sedat Koca at Medicana Ataşehir Hospital states that healthy tissues are damaged much less with radiotherapy technology that directly targets the tumor. Moreover, smart radiotherapy, which offers simultaneous imaging to the patient, can be applied to all types of cancer.
Cancer is one of the most worrying diseases all over the world. Cancer-related research has an important place in the medical world. The search for more advanced treatment methods continues unabated. One of the treatments that has become prominent recently is smart radiotherapy. Medicana Health Group, one of Türkiye’s leading health institutions with over 30 years of experience, continues to follow the developments in medicine and bring these treatments to Türkiye. Under the leadership of Radiation Oncologist Prof. Dr. Sedat Koca at Medicana Ataşehir Hospital with the participation of guest physicians, the smart radiotherapy period and its applications in cancer treatment were discussed in the “C” program. In her opening speech, Reha Özkaya, Member of the Board of Directors and CEO of Medicana Health Group, drew attention to Medicana’s investments in the national and international arena and the technology tracks developing with new investments. Medicana Ataşehir Hospital Radiation Oncology specialists Dr. Gökhan Yılmazer and Prof. Dr. Sedat Koca, one of the urology doctors, Prof. Dr. Cemil Uygur, one of the Thoracic Surgery doctors, Prof. Dr. Celalettin Kocatürk, one of the General Surgery doctors, Prof. Dr. Koray Topgül, one of Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilay Şengül and one of the guest hospital physicians, Radiation Oncologist Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Cem Önal attended the meeting in which Medicana Ataşehir Hospital Chief Physician Dr. Selami Hacıoğlu also spoke at.
Radiotherapy that offers simultaneous imaging to every patient
Emphasizing that there are patient-specific radiotherapy methods in the field of radiation oncology, Prof. Dr. Koca said, “The aim of radiotherapy, which is an important part of cancer treatment, is to destroy or control the tumor tissue by giving radiation. It is necessary to follow current methods in cancer treatment. One of the latest methods produced by radiation oncology technology is radiotherapy, which offers simultaneous imaging. The method, which can be applied to many types of cancer, provides patient-specific treatment opportunities.”
Tumor control in radiotherapy
Reminding that special devices are needed to direct radiation to the diseased organ, Prof. Dr. Koca explained the opportunities provided by this method as follows,
“This radiotherapy application, which offers simultaneous imaging, has much more sensitive technical equipment compared to other radiotherapy methods. The device’s MRI scanner shows the position, size and shape of the tumor in three dimensions during treatment. In this way, it clearly displays the tumor and the surrounding healthy tissue and allows intervention in the tumor tissue without damaging the healthy tissues. Thus, tumor control increases. In this treatment, the clinical changes that occur as a result of each session are evaluated and patients are provided with a significant treatment opportunity in each session.”
Healthy tissues are less affected
Stating that every stage of the treatment can be followed, Prof. Dr. Koca said, “This treatment method helps to implement the treatment correctly and reduce side effects by tracking the position of the tumor tissue and surrounding healthy tissues during radiation therapy. It allows us to effectively monitor the patient throughout the radiotherapy process and can follow the position of tumor tissues and internal organ anatomy at every stage of treatment. In this way, it is possible to apply radiation more precisely to cancerous cells and to affect healthy tissues less.”
Increases the response rate to treatment
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilay Şengül from Department of Medical Oncology of Medicana Ataköy Hospital, said, “After the diagnosis of cancer is made, the disease is staged. Treatment options are different at each stage. There are types of cancer for which radiotherapy is used in addition to systemic treatment in advanced stages. Especially in the metastatic stage, radiotherapy is also used to form a whole. Not only the developments in medical oncology, but also the developments in radiotherapy are followed,” she said, stating that this treatment method increases the response rate to treatment and emphasizes that it helps to provide local control.