Cancer Treatment Technologies

Cancer treatment comprises the use of medications, radiation and surgery to cure, reduce or stop the progression of cancer.

There are several treatment options for cancer available. The treatment selection is based on the following criteria:

• Type and extent of tumour involvement (tumour factor, staging)
• Treatment goals
• Patient characteristics (health status, age, co-morbids)
• Evidence and guidelines
• Patient preference
• Cost

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a non-invasive neurosurgery procedure. It is the Gold Standard in radiosurgery treatment for individuals with small to medium brain tumors, abnormal blood vessel formations, and more.

Gamma Knife ICON is a state-of-the-art radiosurgery machine which allows specialists to treat brain tumor and other conditions with less complications. ... Radiosurgery is is a form of stereotactic radiotherapy. It is not considered a surgery in the traditional sense as it does not involve incisions.

In Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, the term "knife" refers to 192 focused radiation beams that target tumours and other abnormalities, gradually shrinking them or halting their growth. These radiation beams are precisely focused and directed to the diseased brain tissues while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues.

This groundbreaking technology allows physicians to operate on a tumor or other abnormality in the brain that is too hard to reach with standard neurosurgery.

Learn more about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery at Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s first hospital with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery since 2014. Read more

Elekta Versa HD - Linear Accelerator (LINAC)

Elekta Versa HD - Linear Accelerator (LINAC) provide advanced radiation therapy system such as:

• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
• Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

... Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and reduce the size of tumours. At high doses, radiation therapy destroys the DNA of cancer cells, which either kills them or limits their growth. Cancer cells with DNA that are damaged beyond repair, either stop proliferating or die. When these damaged cells die, they are broken down and eliminated by the body.

The types of radiation therapy include:

• 3-Dimensioned Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DRT): By using radiation beams that mimic the shape of the tumour, 3DRT is able to precisely target the tumour while avoiding the healthy surrounding tissue.
• Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT): IMRT employs radiation beams that are split into smaller beamlets of varying radiation intensity to deliver varied radiation doses across the tumour.
• Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT): IGRT uses frequent imaging during radiotherapy to improve the precision and accuracy of radiation delivery.
• Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT): VMAT also known as Rapid Arc, involves the use of a machine, which rotates around the patient in an arc shape. The machine changes the shape and intensity of the beam constantly while moving around the body to improve accuracy and decrease the treatment time.

As with chemotherapy, radiation therapy may also damage healthy cells, causing side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss and skin changes.

One form of radiation therapy, Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) greatly reduces the potential of heart and lung damage in the treatment of breast and lung cancers, simply by two additional procedures – inhaling deeply and then holding one’s breath. Read more

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) for Surgical Oncology

Cancer surgery is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of tumours. While it may be among the oldest forms of cancer treatment, it remains effective in the treatment of many forms of cancer.

In contrast to open surgery, MIS employs a number of techniques to perform surgeries with less injury or damage to the body. This is accomplished by making the smallest incisions possible to access the site of surgery.... These procedures are typically accomplished by placing trocars and ports at the sites of the incisions and surgery is accomplished with extended instruments inserted via these small ports. Large incisions were typically used in surgery to provide easy access and visibility. But MIS has now evolved to the stage where it can carry out many of the known open procedure.

MIS offers several benefits such as:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Better cosmesis
• Lesser pain
• Lesser blood loss
• Cost-effective

Read more

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that utilises drugs to kill cancer cells. The medications may be administered orally or intravenously. Different types of drugs may be administered simultaneously or sequentially.

Chemotherapy, which is used to treat many types of cancer, works by slowing or stopping the rapid growth and proliferation of cancer cells....

Chemotherapy may be used with other treatments to:

• Reduce the size of a tumour prior to surgery or radiation therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
• Kill cancer cells that may still be present after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)
• Increase the efficiency of other treatments
• Kill cancer cells that have returned or spread to other parts of the body

Despite its ability to kill fast-growing cancer cells, it may also kill or slow the growth of healthy cells that grow and divide quickly. This may result in side effects, such as mouth sores, nausea, hair loss and fatigue.

One form of chemotherapy, Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), delivers chemotherapy straight to the abdominal cavity. Patients who undergo HIPEC have been found to have higher survival rates and longer remission periods. Read more

Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal therapy is a treatment used to slow or stop the growth of hormone-fueled cancers. It uses surgery or drugs to block the natural hormones of the body. Surgery involves the removal of hormone-producing organs such as the ovaries or testes, while drugs may be administered intravenously or orally.... Hormonal therapy is typically used alongside other cancer treatments.

Hormonal therapy when used with other treatments can:

• Reduce the size of a tumour prior to surgery or radiation therapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
• Kill cancer cells that may still be present after surgery or radiation therapy (adjuvant chemotherapy)
• Kill cancer cells that have returned or spread to other parts of the body

Hormonal therapy can result in undesirable side effects since it inhibits the body's ability to produce hormones or interferes with their behaviour.

However, not everyone experiences the same side effects since people react differently to the same treatment. Certain side effects also differ based on the gender of the patient. Read more

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that assists the immune system fight cancer. It uses substances created by the body or in a lab to boost the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells....

Immunotherapy functions via:

• Slowing or stopping the development of cancer cells
• Preventing the spread of cancer to other areas of the body
• Enhancing the ability of the immune system to eliminate cancer cells

Immunotherapy can have unwanted side effects, many of which arise when the body's immune system, which has been boosted to fight cancer cells, concurrently attacks healthy cells and tissues. Read more

Biological Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a form of cancer treatment that targets proteins responsible for the growth, proliferation and spread of cancer cells.

While standard chemotherapy works by destroying cancer cells and some healthy cells, targeted therapy focuses on specific targets (molecules) in cancer cells. ... These targets affect the development and survival of cancer cells. Targeted therapy may kill the cancer cell directly. Through targeted therapy, monoclonal antibodies target and mark these molecules, allowing the cancer cells to be better identified and killed by the immune system. Other monoclonal antibodies directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells or trigger their destruction.

Despite its efficacy cancer cells may grow resistant to targeted therapy. It may also cause side effects such as hypertension, fatigue, mouth sores, and skin problems. Read more

Palliative care

Palliative care is specialised care aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with serious or life-threatening diseases, such as cancer.

Palliative care is typically provided by palliative care specialists, who are healthcare practitioners with specialised knowledge with certification in palliative care. ... Palliative care focuses on the patient as a whole rather than solely their illness. The aim is to prevent or treat the disease's symptoms and side effects, as well as any associated psychological, social, and spiritual issues, as early as possible.

The physical and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment experienced may vary from person to person. Palliative care integrates a patient's unique needs into treatment to address a wide range of problems. Palliative care also addressed the caregiver and practical needs of a patient, while providing support to family members and caregivers. Read more

Some cancer patients may only receive one treatment. However, the majority of patients receive a combination of therapies. It is normal to feel confused and overwhelmed when thinking about cancer treatments. However, you can speak to your doctors to learn more about the type of treatments available to help you feel in check.

Make an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals

If you experience any signs and symptoms of cancer or would like to be screened for cancer, get in touch with us to find out more about our Oncology Services at your nearest Gleneagles Hospital.

Gleneagles Hospital works with oncologists to assist patients through cancer treatment. The caring and multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals are available for consultation and to provide the best care.