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`Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy service for cancer treatment'

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JAN. 31. The Health Minister, Thalavai Sundaram, today inaugurated an Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) service at the Apollo Specialty Hospital, Nandanam.

The service, which is an advanced treatment for cancer and tumours, targets the diseased area and does not cause much damage to surrounding healthy cells, according to Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals.

Mr. Sundaram said the State Government allocated about Rs. 1,380 crores for the Health department. "A Multi Leaf Collimator attached to the German IMRT shapes the beam according to the shape of the cancerous growth. The leaves in the collimator cut the intensity of radiation into segments, distributing the beam unequally. This helps to focus on the most critical part of the tumour," said Janos Stumpf, Administrator and Director of Research, Radiation Oncology at Apollo Specialty Hospitals.

At present, radiation therapy for cancer has dangerous side effects due to irradiation of the surrounding cells. "IMRT reduces side effects while increasing cure rate to 97 per cent. Normal radiation therapy has at least 20 per cent lower success rate," said Mary Kara Bucci, Radiation Oncologist at the University of San Francisco.

Treatment for cancer using this technique is expected to cost between Rs. 43,000 and Rs. 78,000, compared to current treatment, which costs Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 60,000.

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