Radiation therapy Dubai, commonly known as radiotherapy, it uses high energy x-rays or gamma rays to treat diseases such as cancer by damaging the cancer cells DNA (genetic code). Radiation therapy is a localized type of treatment that uses state-of-the-art machinery (linear accelerator) to target the infected area whilst minimizing radiation induced toxicities to the healthy surrounding tissues.
Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the area being treated and the amount of radiation delivered. The most common side effects are fatigue and skin irritation. The attentive radiation oncology team at American Hospital closely monitors the side effects individually experienced by their patients and strives always to make them feel as comfortable and cared for as possible throughout their journey to wellness. The oncology team provides patient-focused care based on international best practice guidelines utilizing modern radiation therapy techniques including IMRT, SBRT, SRS and RAPID ARC/VMAT. Image guided systems (kV, CBCT and MV Imaging) are used for position verification. IGRT insures treatment is as accurate as possible. Images are taken daily to confirm that you are in the correct treatment for your treatment using radiation treatment Dubai.
Radiation can be delivered both externally and internally. External radiation therapy is the most common method and focused from outside the body into the area affected by cancer. Internal radiotherapy is known as brachytherapy.You do not feel radiation as it is being delivered.
Radiation Therapy is often in addition to other cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy , and/or hormone therapy).
Radiation Therapy is available at the American Hospital Dubai from Saturday to Thursday between 8am and 6pm.
During your first specialist appointment (FSA) with the radiation oncologist your diagnosis will be discussed and the best course of action decided. All patient cases are discussed in detail at the multi disciplinary meeting before the treatment plan is finalized. Upon the consolation appointment you will have the opportunity to discuss insurance or payment at this stage if you have any queries. A planning CT scan must then be performed to plan your treatment and takes approximately 30 minutes. Our radiation therapy nurse will meet you before your scan and explain the process in detail. Special immobilization equipment will be used to ensure the radiation therapists get you in the same position every day for your treatment. At your scan small tattoos on your skin (small freckle sized tattoos) may be given by the radiation therapists to help align you for your treatment. It may be necessary to make a customized mask for techniques to treat the head and/or neck region and SRS. Some people require extra preparation prior to their CT simulation such as bladder filling; you will be informed about these instructions. The radiation oncologist will target the area to be treated on the scan. You treatment plan using the planning CT scan, will then be made in conjunction with our physicist and dosimetrist. There is a gap between the initial CT scan and the treatment start date for the preparation of your plan. You will receive a phone call with the appointment time for your first treatment from our administration team. Treatment is typically delivered between Saturday to Thursday, five treatments per week. Appointments usually last around 20 minutes per day. This includes the radiation therapists getting you into the same position as the CT planning scan. Once you are positioned in the treatment room, the radiation therapists go to the treatment console area and verify your treatment position using Image Guided radiation Therapy (IGRT) and then deliver the radiation. The radiation therapists will discuss the treatment process and answer any questions prior to the treatment on the first day. Quality Assurance protocols are followed during every step of the radiation care journey, providing accurate treatments and delivering deliberate radiation doses that maintain security and patient safety. You will be seen weekly by the radiation oncologist.
This is one of most common methods of radiation therapy and may be delivered in many ways. External radiation therapy techniques offered at American Hospital include: The method used to deliver your treatment will be decided to ensure optimal dose to the target area and minimal dose to other organs in the body. You will not feel any different when you leave the department. You will not be radioactive. It is perfectly safe to be in public areas. Side effects of the treatment are not immediate but will build up gradually over time. SRS and SBRT is high dose radiotherapy per treatment with a reduced number of treatments targeting the tumour whilst minimizing dose to normal tissue. This is usually offered to those who meet a specific criteria decided by the radiation oncologist.
This involves the placement of applicators in or close to the tumor with a radioactive source. Brachytherapy can sometimes require a short hospital admission and may use general anesthesia. In some cases, both external and internal radiation therapy is used.
In case a radiotherapy emergency is confirmed by one of our radiation oncologists who will immediately contact the on-call team, which includes radiation therapists, physicists, dosimetrist and support staff. Urgent cases are attended to immediately. Radiation therapy patients receiving treatment within the Dubai area may contact the following number: +971 4 377 3030/3031/3021. Should the patients require advice on radiotherapy side effects and complications, or advice on how to obtain help, they can call any of the following number: +971 4 3773021 or email:pr_radiotpy@ahdubai.comor radt_nurse@ahdubai.com
