Imaging

Apollo, Chennai Launches IGRT

Its 3D imaging focuses on just those cells affected by cancer, rather than all the cells in the area

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai recently announced the implementation of Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) system and Siemens Open Sensation, 24 slice wide bore CT scanner. The new system of IGRT enables doctors to locate tumours within the body with greater accuracy and treat a wider variety of indications. Physicians at Apollo, now have access to this advanced tumour treatment technology, providing new hope to patients.

Traditionally, small shifts in patient positioning or radiation beam alignment during treatment can result in damage to normal tissues surrounding the tumor. IGRT technology uses high-resolution X-rays to pinpoint tumors seconds before treatment and automatically corrects any patient set-up errors as well as tracks patient movement throughout the procedure.

IGRT is best suited for sites where internal organ motion is expected, for example: cancer of lung, breast and liver (breathing motion), stomach and prostate (filling), brain (neck movement). The use of image guidance will not only improve the focus and precise delivery of radiation, but is also expected to improve the cure rates for cancers where the dose delivery is limited with conventional methods of radiotherapy due to proximity of affected tissues to critical organs like eyes, brain, heart, lungs and spinal cord.

"IGRT has become a harbinger of hope for cancer patients across the globe. Not only this technique significantly improves survival rates, it also results in reducing the side-effects of radiation like difficulty in swallowing food and pneumonia for patients with cancers in the chest," says Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals.

Two robotically controlled 'arms' capture CT, fluoroscopic and X-ray images on a daily basis, pinpointing the position of the cancer just prior to treatment. This increased precision allows for higher doses of radiation— ultimately leading to higher cure rates.

"The IGRT goes beyond the traditional method, which eradicates all cells in the area. Its 3D imaging focuses on just those cells affected by cancer, rather than all the cells in the area, and thus protecting the healthy cells, said Dr Kurup Gopalakrishnan, Chief Medical Physicists and D Stumpf, Director Medical Services.

The other latest acquisition to augment its diagnostic capability is the Siemens Open Sensation, 24 slice wide bore CT scanner an advanced Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Scanner. The 24 Slice Wide Bore CT Scanner has several outstanding features.

"It is highly patient friendly for obese patients who are above 200 kgs and reduces discomfort of claustrophobic patients (anxiety disorder that involves the fear of enclosed or confined spaces) and its high speed of operations is advantageous to patients with poly trauma (patient who has been subjected to multiple traumatic injuries). The large gantry and the high speed CT fluoroscopic scanning makes all interventional procedures like biopsies, therapeutic ablation of tumours and drainage procedures safe and efficient," added Dr Reddy.

The equipment also has exclusive facilities for virtual simulation to cancer patients, using the Dicor 3-Dimensional Laser Localiser. It provides accurate repositioning of patient for IMRT which is an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy. The computer controlled repositioning helps to deliver precise radiation dose to malignant tumors or specific areas within the tumor with little damage to adjacent normal organs or tissues.

The various other applications of this sophisticated scanner are Virtual Endoscopy and Virtual Bronchoscopy (3-Dimensional scanning), which helps to study the bronchial airway and bowel airspace. Computed Tomography Angiograms CTA is a built-in advanced software which displays blood vessels. The stroke evaluation study is enabled by a special stroke evaluation software. The special lung nodule software and perfusion scanning useful in finding out meta static tumours and tumour recurrences.

EH News Bureau