SKMCH gets fifth radiotherapy machine

LAHORE:The Department of Clinical and Radiation Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, has upgraded facility with addition of fifth innovative radiotherapy machine in addition to four already installed linear accelerators in the department. It is now comprehensively equipped with state of the art sophisticated radiotherapy machines.

The new cutting-edge radiotherapy machine is first of its kind in Pakistan and Middle East, capable of wide spectrum and advanced treatment modalities including Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT), Stereotactic Radio surgery with Hyper Arc, Image Guided Radiotherapy and Rapid Arc. This machine is capable of highly conformal and targeted radiotherapy with precision of less than 1mm, thus ensuring delivery of high-intensity doses to the tumour cells only while sparing normal tissues of the surrounding parts of the body. Furthermore, the new LINAC is equipped with respirator gating, calypso system, robotic treatment couch and 4-D gated cone beam CT, which allows real time tumour tracking and compensation for tumour movements, therefore reducing the chances of missing the tumour and protecting the surrounding tissues.

True Beam in its “High Intensity Mode” is three times faster than conventional LINAC. Simple treatments that take10 to 30 minutes can now be completed in less than two minutes, reducing patient’s time on the treatment couch; faster delivery also reduces the chances of tumour mobility during treatment.

In essence, the biggest advantages of this LINAC are convenience for the patients, precision and speed of treatment. It is expected that with this new technology addition, SKMCH&RC shall cater to the ever-increasing number of cancer patient needing radiation therapy. Besides Lahore, SKMCH&RC, Peshawar is also equipped with state-of-the-art Clinical and Radiation Oncology Department where two linear accelerators machines are functional and providing services to cancer patients. SKMCH&RC, Peshawar is making cancer treatment much more accessible in areas where treating cancer was once just a dream.