New weapon against cancer

NETCARE Parklands Hospital in Overport has invested in new cancer technology which has the capacity to shorten patient treatment times and accurately and precisely target treatment areas to improve the sparing of healthy tissues.

The Varian’s Trilogy advanced radiation therapy system was recently installed at the hospital. General Manager, Fuad Salie said patients can take comfort in the knowledge that the hospital is treating cancer with the most advanced technology available.

“Netcare has provided radiotherapy since 1989, and we are very pleased to be introducing this new linear accelerator (Linac) in the Durban area, as it represents great strides made in the fight against various types of cancer,” said Salie.

Radiotherapy is used to destroy cancerous tumours, and is either used on its own or in conjunction with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or surgery.

“This highly advanced technology represents significant innovation in the managing of complex cancer cases. The Varian Trilogy allows for cancerous tissue to be accurately targeted, limiting the radiation exposure of healthy surrounding tissues, and delivering RapidArc doses for quicker, highly effective treatments,” said Netcare’s executive responsible for oncology, Noeleen Phillipson.

The Varian Trilogy also has on-board advanced position verification and motion management tools, so that the oncologists can see precisely where the tumour is and compensate for patient movements during treatment. The system has applications for cancers in various parts of the body, including the head, brain, neck, lungs, stomach and prostate.

The centre also runs the six-weekly ‘We Help You Cope’ cancer support group, which focuses on a range of topics from diagnosis and treatment to diet, stress and spiritual needs.