Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) Abroad
IGRT cancer treatment cost:
{the cost covers all destination medical & logistics costs}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is one of the latest and cutting-edge
innovations in radiation therapy and management of cancers. The therapy involves
integration of treatment and imaging capabilities into a single machine, which
makes it simpler and more effective in the management of cancers and tumors.
This technology also increases the accuracy with which the tumor cells can be
specifically targets, whilst reducing the damage on the surrounding tissues.
India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea and Turkey are some of the medical care destinations
which provide Radiation therapy for management of cancers at competitive costs.
Understanding Image Guided Radiation Therapy:
Image Guided Radiation Therapy is a technique which involves the frequent use
of diagnostic imaging to view the location, extent and size of the tumor during
the course of the radiation therapy. This not only enhances accuracy and precision
of the treatment, but also plays a critical role in the post therapy management
of the patient.
In the Image Guided Radiation Therapy, the machine that delivers the radiation
dose (i.e. linear accelerator) is linked to any diagnostic imaging equipment
like a Computed Tomography (CT scan) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron
Emission Tomography (PET scan) or simply an X-ray, via a computer program, which
facilitates the physician to view the tumor before, during and after the irradiation.
This allows the radiation specialist to make necessary corrections and adjustments
during the patient's exposure to the radiation doses.
Advantages of Image Guided Radiation Therapy over other conventional radiotherapy
systems:
The risk factors for esophageal cancer include:
- Compared to other systems of radiation therapies , IGRT considerably improves
the accuracy of radiation field placement, specific to the tumor.
- The conventional systems require a larger target volume dose, in order to
compensate for the errors of localizing the tumor during treatment. This significantly
affected healthy tissues, as they received unwanted radiation dose. With increased
precision and accuracy, IGRT considerably reduces the damage to the healthy
tissue. This in turn increases the intensity and dose of radiation on the
tumor.
- Currently used innovation in radiation therapy includes Intensity Modulated
Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which molds a three dimensional radiation dose map,
specific for the tumor based on its characteristics like size, shape, movement
and location. This requires critical data about the tumor which is of utmost
importance for planning the target volume margins dose. Image Guided Radiation
Therapy allows IMRT to collect critical data which helps it focus on the tumor
with the specific dose and intensity.
- Image Guided Radiation Therapy also helps monitor changes that may occur
during the treatment procedure (i.e. shrinkage or expansion or change in shape)
of tumor. This is of crucial importance for clinical studies and provides
better avenues for innovations.
Preparing for Image Guided Radiation Therapy:
- Prior to undergoing irradiation, radio dense markers (which are made up
of a material which doesn't allow the penetration of X ray beams and hence
appear as white spots in the image) are inserted into the patients body about
a week prior to the procedure.
- The patients skin may also be marked, to assist the radiation therapist
to align the equipments accordingly
- The patient is expected not to eat or drink after the midnight of the previous
day prior to the procedure.
- The patient is also required to inform the doctor about any medications,
which the patient takes as a part of his routine medical care. The patient
is also required to share any information about past history of allergic reactions
to iodine, shellfish or any other intravenously administered substance
Image Guided Radiation Therapy Procedure:
Image Guided Radiation Therapy is a simple procedure similar to other Radiation
therapy procedures. The entire procedure can be classified into three simple
steps,
- Stimulation: During this stage the patient is positioned on a CT
scan or X ray table and stimulation images are taken. The patient is made
to lie in different positions for the oncologist to assess the size, shape
and exact location of the tumor. This gives the presiding physician all the
requisite information for subsequent planning process.
- Treatment Planning: With the help of a specialized computer system
the oncologist would work with the dosimetrist to determine the exact dose
to be applied to the tumor while ensuring minimal exposure to the surrounding
healthy tissue. Images of the patient in different other positions may be
required in this stage. All necessary adjustments are made in the treatment
plan and the position of the patient prior to initiating the process of irradiation.
(There are two basic strategies of patient position correction that are used.
The online strategy involves correcting the patient position and dosage during
on going treatment, while the offline strategy involves correcting the patient
position and dosage based on the information collected during the stimulation
stage and the subsequent planning stage)
- Treatment Delivery: The final step involves the initiation of the
radiation therapy treatment as per the plan.
Common side effects of Image Guided Radiation Therapy:
Just like all the radiotherapy treatments, IGRT also is accompanied with the
common complications which occur primarily due to exposure to radiation. These
include,
- Early Side Effects: These include gastro intestinal disturbances
like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Hair loss
is a fairly common problem attributed to thinning of the hair. Headaches and
difficulty in swallowing are also common problems. Occasionally the patient
may complain of soreness and swelling in and around the treatment site.
- Late Side Effects: These occur after almost a year of treatment and
are often permanent. These include infertility, lymphedema, and changes in
the brain, kidney, spinal cord, lungs and colon. There is a rare chance of
the patient developing a secondary cancer due to the exposure to radiation
dose.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy in India:
India is a rapidly developing country and embraces latest technological advances
in the domain of medical science quickly and readily. A team of specialized
healthcare professionals and international quality of medical care are the strong
aspects of the nation's booming medical tourism industry.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy in Mexico:
Mexico provides low cost care to U.S. patients in hospitals with international
quality standards for medical care. Medical tourists from the United States
to Mexico, spend the least time on travel, which allows them to return home
early after completing the treatment.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy in Turkey:
After earning a strong reputation in the Middle East for its low cost, and
high quality of medical care, Turkey is now focusing on attracting medical tourists
from the United States, by providing multiple treatment options at comparable
costs. The hospitals and physicians across the country are abreast with the
latest technological innovations in the West and provide the same facilities
at half the cost.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy in Jordan:
With augmentations in the healthcare infrastructure and stringent government
medical quality control procedures in place, Jordan is attracting patients from
Europe due to the cost advantage. Its proximity to Europe, allows an opportunity
for medical tourists from United States to couple medical care with leisure
travel across Europe.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy in South Korea:
South Korea is the only medical tourism
destination which has a specific and focused approach. The hospitals across
the country specifically focus on medical and surgical oncology services and
have gained tremendous experience and expertise in management of foreign patients
visiting the country for oncology care.
Resources:
Cyberknife in India
Cyberknife
at Anadolu Medical Center, Turkey
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RCHOP Chemotherapy
Cyberknife Cancer Radiotherapy
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Gastrectomy Surgery Abroad
Mastectomy
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Total
Pelvic Exenteration Abroad
Cervical
Cancer Treatment Abroad
Lung
Cancer Management Therapy Abroad
Esophageal Cancer Resection Abroad
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates IGRT cancer treatment in Europe,
India and other overseas world-class oncology treatment destinations.
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