Department Of Radiation Oncology
Mission & Purpose
Radiotherapy is a super specialty branch of medicine which deals with the study of management of primary malignancies and some benign conditions using ionizing radiations. There are two types of radiotherapy: 1. EBRT and 2. Internal radiation therapy. The main target of radiation is DNA of cancer cells. The radiation kill cancer cells by destroying their DNA’s. EBRT stands for external beam radiotherapy. It is the most common type of radiotherapy. With this, a machine directs of high energy radiation towards the malignancy. The energy includes X- Rays (most common), electrons or protons. Precision is important with external radiation. Forms of EBRT include: 3 DCRT: It means three dimensional conformal radiation therapy. It uses CT scan and computer software to create a 3 dimensional model of tumor. IMRT: It stands for intensity modulated radiotherapy. It is a more advanced form of radiation therapy. It uses various radiation beams that vary the dose intensity. Arc based radiotherapy. It is a form of IMRT. It directs energy beams of varying intensity in a rotational arc like pattern. VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy) and tomotherapy are two forms of arc- based radiotherapy. IGRT means image guided radiotherapy. EBRT in which the radiation machine obtains a low dose X-Ray or miniCT before each treatment. Particle therapy uses radiation therapy that consists of protons instead of photons (x-Rays). SRS: It stands for stereotactic radio surgery such as Gamma Knife surgery. It uses high doses of focused radiation to destroy small brain tumors with surgical precision. It is incisionless. It takes 1-5 days. SBRT stands for stereotactic body radiation. It uses high doses of focused radiation to destroy tumors outside of the brain. IORT means intra operative radiation. It delivers radiation during surgery. Internal Radiation. It places radiation inside of your body, close to tumor. Brachytherapy: Implants a solid radiation source or seed inside or beside a tumor. The source releases radiation to a small area to kill cancer cells. Cancer treatment essentially requires a multidisciplinary approach. It is estimated that approximately 50 % of cancer are cured by surgery, about 40% by radiotherapy alone (or combined with surgery/ chemotherapy) and 10% by chemotherapy alone (or combined with radiotherapy/surgery). An effective radiotherapy treatment for radiosensitive tumors can lead to cancer eradication, and prolongs survival. There are two goals of treatment. 1. Curative. This type of treatment leads to eradication of tumor prolongs survival. It is to be noted that some side effects are acceptable in it.2. Palliative. It is a holistic approach .This type of treatment cannot prolong the survival of cancer patients. The main aim of Palliative Care is to improve the quality of life for patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses. This includes relieving pain and other distressing symptoms, providing psychological, social and spiritual support, helping comfort and dignity throughout the course of illness. The radiation oncology can also practice in delivering chemotherapy and hormonal therapy which is an important part of cancer treatment. Facilities available for cancer patients at GMC, Baramulla include: 1. General oncology OPD from Monday to Saturday. 2. Follow up OPD (6 day/ week). 3. Palliative and supportive care (Daily). 4. Daycare Services (Daily) Our department is also involved in undergraduate teaching, research and cancer awareness program. My first mission at GMC, Baramulla is to establish a comprehensive care (level II). Second one is to fulfill the eligibility criteria for starting DNB/ postgraduate courses in radiation oncology department. Third one is to make my department academically strong and Research oriented .The ultimate aim of mine is to raise awareness among common people in North Kashmir Baramulla regarding cancer symptoms, signs, prevention, screening, early detection and early treatment.
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Research
Space for Department Research
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