Radiotherapy in Cancer Management:
Challenges and Opportunities
ADVANCED BRAIN
CANCER TREATMENT
THAT’S CLOSE TO HOME
New cutting-edge Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment is now
available at GenesisCare on the Gold Coast.
This advanced technique treats localised tumours with pin-point accuracy.
Brain cancer patients can look forward to reduced treatment times and
fewer side effects like headaches and hair loss.
Find out more about this world-class treatement,
call 07 5552 1400 or visit genesiscancercareqld.com.au
We are happy to announce that GenesisCare now has a daily presence at Pindara Private Hospital,
to provide quick and easy access for our patients and referrers.
Pindara Specialist Suites, Suite 4.10, (Level 4), 29 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4214
Treatment locations
Southport
Premion Place
39 White St, Southport Qld 4215
Ph 07 5552 1400
Tugun
John Flynn Private Hospital
Inland Drive, Tugun Qld 4224
Ph 07 5507 3600
Cancers are responsible for more years of
life lost than any other health condition,
accounting for nearly a fifth of the total
disease burden in Australia. Sadly, both cancer
incidence and mortality are increasing for most of
the major cancers such as breast, bowel, prostate,
melanoma and lung. It is estimated that by the age
of 85, the chance of an individual being diagnosed
with cancer is 50 percent. Combine this with an
ever-increasing ageing population and you get an
idea of the magnitude of the problem.
Radiotherapy plays a key role in the successful
management of cancer. Used extensively in
conjunction with surgery, it can be the main
treatment on its own or in combination with
chemotherapy or in palliation of symptoms.
Almost 50 percent of cancer patients will require
radiotherapy at some stage of their diagnosis.
External beam radiotherapy is non-invasive
and outpatient-based in most cases.
Traditionally, radiotherapy was given in small
daily doses using wide margins around the target
to account for error, spread over 6-8 weeks.
However, this notion has been successfully
challenged over the years.
We now use hypo-fractionation - higher doses
per day over 3-4 weeks - and extreme hypo-fractionation
(stereotactic radiotherapy) which
employs very large doses with smaller margins
given over a much shorter time – usually
around a week. The shorter treatment offers the
advantages of patient convenience and better
tumour control due to the higher daily doses.
The shorter treatment can be performed
safely thanks to significant technological
improvements. Four-Dimensional scanners
account for tumour motion, while faster
computer systems calculate complex radiation
plans. Other advancements include machines
with in-built imaging facilities and three-times
faster treatment delivery which enables
oncologists to provide precision treatments.
At Genesis CancerCare, our well-trained
Radiation Oncologists are among the best in
the industry. We have the technical know-how
and many years of experience, using the most
advanced technology available in Australia. With
centres in Southport and Tugun, we are happy
to announce that Genesis CancerCare now has
a daily presence at Pindara Private Hospital to
provide quick and easy access for patients and
referrers. For further information, please visit:
genesiscancercareqld.com.au
Dr Sagar Ramani | Radiation Oncologist