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Halcyon linear accelerator provides fast radiotherapy treatment for cancer
Varian ProBeam proton therapy for cancer has fewer side effects.
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Cancer and Radiotherapy Education
Cancer Types

Find out more about the treatment of different types of cancer using radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy types

Read more about various kinds of radiotherapy (proton, VMAT, SRS etc).

Learn about the different radiotherapy modalities
Radiotherapy Techniques

Proton therapy, VMAT, 3D, Electrons, IMRT, SBRT, SRS

Proton therapy

Proton beam therapy is a form of radiotherapy that uses protons, positively charged particles, to precisely target and treat cancer cells, with minimal exit dose in normal organs, distal to the tumour.

Download Proton-Beam-Therapy-A-patient-Guide

Taken from Samsung Proton Center

  • Minimise dose distal to tumours
  • Allows for high doses to tumours
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

VMAT radiotherapy uses x-rays that are shaped to form a conformal treatment target. It is known for its shorter treatment times, increased treatment accuracy, and improved sparing of critical structures, contributing to more effective and patient-friendly radiation therapy.

Halcyon linear accelerator provides fast radiotherapy treatment for cancer
VMAT linear accelerator

  • Modulated
  • Comfortable
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy or Radiosurgery

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS),  or ablative body radiotherapy ( SABR, SBRT etc) is a non-invasive and highly precise radiotherapy technique used to treat small tumors or lesions in the brain or other parts of the body. lung metastasis receiving high dose precise radiotherapy with stereotactic technology

  • Concentrated
  • 1-5 fractions
  • Highly accurate
Stereotactic radiosurgery for cancer is available at SAM Proton Therapy SG
Stereotactic treatment
Radiosurgery

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): These are techniques that deliver highly focused, high-dose radiation to small tumors or specific areas within the body. SBRT is often used for the treatment of small, localized tumors outside the brain, while SRS is typically used for brain tumors.

Discover the Power of Proton Beam Therapy in Cancer Treatment

How is proton different different?

Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than traditional photons. Protons have unique physical properties that allow for more precise targeting of tumors, with the potential to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Read about which cancers can be treated with proton beam therapy. 

When is proton therapy used?

 Unlike traditional X-ray radiation, protons deposit their energy more precisely, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This precision is particularly beneficial in treating tumors located near critical structures or in pediatric patients, where sparing healthy tissues is crucial. Proton therapy is often employed in various cancers, including brain tumors, prostate cancer, head and neck cancers, liver cancers, and certain pediatric malignancies, with the goal of maximizing treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

What is Ratiotherapy
Understanding Cancer: Knowledge is Power

Radiotherapy technology is very advanced these days, leveraging complex computer software and complex linear accelerator to deliver treatment ranging from proton therapy, to high dose ablative radiosurgery, to radionuclides sources placed directly near tumours (brachytherapy). 

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, uses high doses of radiation to kill or damage cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.

What are the potential side effects of radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy, like many cancer treatments, can cause side effects. The specific side effects can vary depending on the type and location of the cancer being treated, the dose of radiation, the duration of treatment, and individual patient factors. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience the same side effects, and some individuals may have minimal side effects.

How can patients manage the side effects?

For short term toxicities, medications and lotions can be given to patients. For long term toxicities, prevention is key. Your radiation oncologist will explain these to you and review you along the way.

What is the process of radiotherapy?

Referral and Consultation:
Simulation involves the use of imaging techniques (such as CT scans) to identify the tumor and surrounding normal tissues.
Immobilization devices may be used to help the patient maintain a consistent position during treatment.

Treatment Planning:
The radiation oncology team, which includes medical physicists and dosimetrists, uses the simulation data to develop a treatment plan. Treatment planning involves determining the appropriate radiation dose, the angles from which the radiation beams will be delivered, and the duration of treatment.

Quality Assurance:
Before actual treatment begins, the treatment plan undergoes a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

Treatment Sessions:
The patient undergoes a series of treatment sessions, typically scheduled daily from Monday to Friday. Each session is relatively short, lasting only a few minutes, although the overall treatment duration varies depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Positioning and Immobilization:
Before each treatment session, the patient is carefully positioned on the treatment table using the immobilization devices established during simulation. Image-guided techniques may be employed to verify the precise positioning of the patient.

Delivery of Radiation:
The patient lies on the treatment table, and the linear accelerator or other radiation delivery system is used to deliver targeted radiation beams to the predetermined treatment area. The radiation therapist operates the equipment from a control room, monitoring the process through imaging and computer systems.

Monitoring and Adjustments:
Throughout the course of treatment, the radiation oncology team monitors the patient’s response to therapy. If necessary, adjustments to the treatment plan may be made to account for changes in the tumor size or location.

Side Effect Management:
Throughout treatment, the healthcare team works closely with the patient to manage and alleviate any side effects. Supportive care measures may include medications, skincare recommendations, and nutritional guidance.

Follow-Up Care:
After completing the prescribed course of radiotherapy, the patient continues to receive follow-up care to monitor the treatment’s effectiveness and address any potential side effects.

How do patients monitor their cancer progress after radiotherapy?

Via clinical examination and imaging modalities like CT, MRI, PET-CT and sometimes blood cancer markers.

Breast Cancer

Radiotherapy is used after breast conserving surgery, or after a mastectomy in selected patients. Modern radiotherapy is very safe and well tolerated. Breath-holding radiotherapy can further reduce heart doses.

Gastrointestinal and Liver Cancer

For rectal cancer, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, can reduce the risk of recurrence.

For liver cancers, SBRT can ablate small metastases and primary disease. Protons is a useful tool for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas. 

Lung Cancer

In advanced lung cancers, radiotherapy can be used concurrently with chemotherapy to control the tumours. In small cancers, stereotactic body radiotherapy can be used to ablate the tumours with more than 90% efficacy.

Paediatric Cancer

Radiotherapy is an integral component of paediatric oncology. However, late-onset toxicity can be a major concern. Proton therapy helps to mitigate the risk of late-onset toxicity. 

 

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer can be treated very safely with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, or proton therapy in selected cases.

Patients with a few distant metastases can also receive ablative radiotherapy to these areas.

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Modern treatment for NPC is safe and efficacious. Proton therapy can further reduce side effects.

For locally recurrent NPC, repeat radiotherapy is an option in some patients.

Brain Tumours

Benign brain tumours like acoustic neuroma and craniopharyngiomas can be controlled safely with moderate doses of radiotherapy. Brain tumours like gliomas can be managed with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Small brain metastases can be eradicated with stereotactic radiosurgery.

Sarcomas

Radiotherapy is delivered to the surgical bed with image-guidance treatment with pre-operative MRI guidance. For selected tumours near critical organs, proton therapy can provide safe and high probability of control, e.g. chordoma. For unresectable tumours, high doses of proton therapy can be used to cure.

Process of radiotherapy

Radiation Treatment
customised cushion for radiotherapy

Talk to your radiation oncologist about your treatment plans to discuss probabilities of short and long term toxicities, with mitigation strategies.

radiotherapy face mask
Varian ProBeam proton therapy for cancer has fewer side effects.
HN planning

Modern radiotherapy is safe.

Updates

Get the latest news on radiotherapy and cancer discoveries.

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The protection of your personal data is important to us, and we aim to comply with the requirements ofthe Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (“PDPA”) in respect

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