Visiting a radiation oncologist anywhere in Singapore, you will receive treatment options for various kinds of cancer. One of the treatments offered is radiation therapy or radiotherapy. You can get radiation therapy in Singapore from hospitals like Mount Elizabeth Novena.
There are two types of radiotherapy that patients can opt for, external beam radiation or internal radiation. On the other hand, internal radiation therapy is used for gynaecological or endometrial cancers.
How It Works
Brachytherapy works by placing a radioactive source close to or inside the tumour. The main advantage of this method is that it allows the surrounding normal tissues are unharmed.
Since radioactive sources are placed close to the tumour, they will keep their place. That is regardless of how much a patient moves during the treatment procedure. It is another advantage since it ensures the precise and accurate delivery of the treatment.
Ways You Can Receive this Treatment
There are two ways brachytherapy is given; via permanent radioactive seed implant or through moving a radioactive source in or around the tumour.
Permanent radioactive implant seeds is a form of Low Dose Rate (LDR). It is called such since radioactive seeds are implanted near the tumour where it stays permanently. It allows high dose radiation to be delivered and becomes biologically inert after ten months.
On the other hand, moving a radioactive source in or around your tumour is a form of High Dose Rate (HDR) treatment. HDR is when the said source is retracted in and out of the body once depositing the prescribed dose.
Discuss what kind of treatment suits you best with a radiation doctor from your preferred Singapore hospital.
Conclusion
Getting the right kind of treatment will bring you closer to recovery faster. Radiotherapy costs in Singapore hospitals might be high, but the treatment of your disease should be your priority. You can speak to a specialist like Mount Elizabeth radiation doctor, Dr Johann Tang, to know all of your options.
Resource:
