Radiation Oncology Center

Scope of service

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, utilizes advanced imaging and radiation technologies to effectively treat cancer and malignant tumors. At Bangkok Hospital, most common cancer types are managed with cutting-edge radiotherapy, often integrated with other treatments for optimal outcomes. This multidisciplinary approach includes radiation therapists, surgeons, chemotherapists (including molecular and ambulatory therapies), radiologists, nutritionists, and emotional support specialists through the Tumor Conference.

The Oncology Radiotherapy Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. Radiation therapy precisely targets malignant and benign tumors using ionizing radiation, minimizing harm to nearby tissues and organs. External beam therapy, or teletherapy, delivers high-energy rays to tumors with pinpoint accuracy via linear accelerators, ensuring effective cancer cell destruction while sparing healthy tissue.

Wattanosoth Hospital offers the Linear Accelerator as part of its Radiation Therapy services as well as the IGRT such as:

1. EDGE​ : New Era of Cancer Radiosurgery

EDGE Radiosurgery uses non-invasive tumor-destroying with high radiation dose to treat cancer anywhere in the body where radiation is indicated. EDEGE system is being used with patients who were not good candidates for surgery.

This powerful advanced technology is very precise, accurate, convenient and fast. In fact, most treatments take only 15 minutes.

2. LINAC (Linear Accelerator: ELEKTA PRECISE)

This machine produces high energy X-ray beams and is able to make adjustments (referred to as Multileaf Collimator) according to the shape of the tumor. Image-guide technique (IGRT) helps to pinpoint the location of tumors, avoiding radiation exposure to normal tissues. It is considered one of the most advanced, efficient, and safe techniques available.

3. VMAT (ELEKTA SYNERGY VMAT)

This advanced technology provides radiotherapy by acting as an electron accelerator. It is capable of providing traditional therapy through to more advanced therapy including Volumetric Modulated Radiotherapy

More about the VMAT technique

• Able to make adjustments to radiation quantity to levels that are suitable according to the size and shape of the tumor

• Able to adjust the speed, quantity, and dispersion of radiation rays as well as map position of obstacles to treatment that may be in and around the tumor. This will help to ensure that the rays will encompass the tumor area, while reducing potential radiation exposure to surrounding organs.

• Provides higher accuracy in cancer treatment. Prior to the VMAT technique planning was done via 3D navigation to pinpoint location of tumors, and imaging was not provided in real time.

4. Brachytherapy or Internal beam therapy

which means short-distance therapy involves placing radioactive material directly inside your body or close to or directly in the tumor. The material will remain there either temporarily or permanently, depending on type of cancer. Brachytherapy is not the only treatment method and can be used with other procedures such as teletherapy or surgical oncology. Brachytherapy can be used to treat several types of cancers including cervical, ovarian, lung, esophageal cancer, as well as cancers found in the head and neck area.

Benefits of High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

• Improves efficiency of treatment by providing higher accuracy

• Reduces side effects, as it is able to pinpoint cancer while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding organs and tissues.

• Considered a small procedure, does not require a major surgery, applicable of OPD treatment.

What is IGRT?

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) enhances the precision and accuracy of radiation therapy by incorporating advanced imaging techniques during treatment. Machines like linear accelerators (for X-rays or photons) or cyclotrons/synchrotrons (for protons) are equipped with specialized imaging technology that captures real-time images of the tumor while the patient is positioned on the treatment table.

These images are compared to reference images from prior simulations using advanced computer software. Adjustments to the patient’s position or radiation beams are made as needed, ensuring radiation precisely targets the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), and X-ray imaging visualize anatomy, while markers on the body or implanted within guide treatment for optimal accuracy. IGRT represents a significant advancement in achieving effective and safe cancer care.