The radiation oncology department is the unit where patients diagnosed with cancer are treated with special devices that produce high energy radiation.
The biggest problem encountered in cancer treatment is that not only cancer cells but also healthy tissues are affected during treatment. With today’s modern technology devices, this distinction can be made very clear, and side effects can be minimized.

Treatment methods applied in our clinic
Radiation oncology is a clinical medicine branch devoted to the treatment of both malignant and benign tumors with ionizing radiation. For this reason, there are many treatment techniques used and the doctor chooses one of these methods according to personal factors and characteristics of the disease.

3D-CRT (Conformal Radiotherapy)
3D CRT is an advanced technique that involves the use of imaging technologies to create three-dimensional images of a patient’s tumor and nearby organs and tissues. Using this detailed information, the doctor can develop a highly specific plan to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor. Consequently, a higher and more effective dose of radiation can be delivered directly to cancerous cells. At the same time, the amount of radiation received by surrounding healthy tissues can be significantly reduced.
3D-CRT is generally used in the following types of cancer;
Brain cancer
Head and neck cancer
Liver cancer
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer

IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy)
IMRT is a type of cancer treatment that uses advanced computer programs to calculate radiation and deliver it from different angles directly to cancer cells. It enables people with cancer to receive higher, more effective doses of radiation while limiting the damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. Thus, the success rate of the treatment increases, and the possibility of side effects decreases.
IMRT is often used to treat prostate cancer, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, and breast cancer because these tumors tend to be located close to critical organs and tissues in the body. It can also be used to treat lymphoma, sarcoma, gynecological cancers, and pediatric cancers.

VMAT (Volumetric Density Adjusted Radiotherapy)
VMAT is a new radiation therapy technique that continuously delivers a dose of radiation as the therapy machine rotates. This technique accurately shapes the radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the dose of the organs surrounding the tumor. The VMAT procedure usually takes about 20 minutes, similar to the 3D-CRT procedure, and uses the same type of radiation as other radiotherapy treatments. VMAT is also preferred in the treatment of tumors in critical areas such as IMRT.

IGRT (Image Guided Radiotherapy)
IGRT is the technique of using imaging to improve the accuracy and efficiency of treatment during radiation therapy. IGRT is used to treat tumors in moving parts of the body, such as the lungs. Radiation therapy machines are equipped with imaging technology to allow the doctor to view the tumor before and during treatment. By comparing these images with reference images taken during the simulation, the patient’s position and radiation beams can be adjusted to target the radiation dose more precisely to the tumor.

SRS (Stereotactic Radiotherapy)
SRS is a non-surgical radiation therapy used to treat functional abnormalities and small tumors of the brain. Fewer doses of radiation can be given than conventional therapy, which can help protect healthy tissue. SRS is currently used in the treatment of malignant or benign small to medium-sized tumors in the body. Common disease areas treated with SRS include
lungs
liver
abdomen
spine
prostate
head and neck

SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy)
SBRT is a cancer treatment that delivers extremely sensitive, and very intense doses of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing the damage to healthy tissue. SBRT involves the use of advanced image guidance, which determines the exact three-dimensional position of a tumor so that the radiation can be delivered to cancer cells more precisely.
SBRT is often used to treat small, early-stage lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, or cancers that have spread to the lung, liver, adrenal gland, or spine.
Whole and half body photon irradiations
Total body irradiation (TBI) is a special radiotherapeutic technique that uses mega-voltage photon beams to deliver one specialized dose to the patient’s entire body. Such wide-field techniques include whole-body irradiation, half body irradiation, and total node irradiation. TBI is often used as part of a cytoreductive preparation regimen before bone marrow transplantation.
Half body irradiation (HBI) has the advantage of treating many areas at the same time and is used to prevent or delay further development of the disease. HBI has a valid pain-relieving effect and HBI significantly reduces pain especially in patients with prostate and breast cancer. However, since it is applied to a large area it may affect the surrounding healthy tissues.

Diseases treated in our clinic
Cancers are named according to the area where they started and the type of cell from which they are made, even if they spread to other parts of the body. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or tissues surrounding other organs. Sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels. Leukemia is a bone marrow cancer that forms blood cells. Lymphoma and myeloma are cancers of the immune system. Cancer types treated in our hospital;
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Brain tumors
Prostate cancer
Rectal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Meningioma
Arteriovenous malformation
Acoustic neuroma
Chordoma
Craniopharyngioma
Trigeminal neuralgia
Pediatric cancer
Lymphomas
Brain metastases
Spinal metastases
Bone metastases
Liver metastases

What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is the destruction of diseased cells by irradiating with ionizing radiation. It is also called radiation therapy. Radiotherapy treatment can rarely be used in non-cancer diseases. High-dose radiation can kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing and multiplying. With modern radiotherapy devices and advanced radiotherapy techniques used in recent years, high dose radiation was given to the tumoral tissue in the treatment of radiotherapy, while a high level of protection of healthy tissues was achieved and side effects were minimized. Today, radiotherapy is applied safely and successfully with advanced technological devices.

Radiotherapy treatment steps
The radiation therapy process is customized for patients, depending on patients’ needs and the type of cancer. Generally, radiotherapy has 6 basic steps.
1. First appointment
The patient is evaluated. The patient’s blood tests, PET-CT, MR imaging, and pathology reports are examined.
2. Treatment decision
As a result of necessary examinations and medical evaluation, the appropriate radiotherapy treatment, technique, and duration are determined for the patient.
3. Screening
Preparatory tomography is performed before the treatment with the fixation apparatus suitable for the area to be treated and the treatment technique to be applied.
4. Contouring
Identification of the patient and intact tissues are made by fusion on the tomography of the patient and, if necessary, images such as PET-CT, MRI, angiography.
5. Treatment plan
After the patient and healthy tissues are identified, technical calculations such as the dose and duration of the treatment to be applied to the patient are made by the medical physicist in advanced computer programs.
6. Treatment
Depending on the type, localization, and treatment technique used, the treatment process may vary between 1 and 8 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can radiotherapy be applied to patients of all ages?
Yes, it can be applied to patients of all ages. Since it is a local treatment technique, it can be safely applied even to people with various additional diseases.

Will I be awake during radiotherapy?
Yes, you will be awake. Since nothing is felt during radiotherapy application, no sedation or anesthesia is required.

Does radiotherapy affect my daily life?
You can continue your daily life during radiotherapy, there is no restriction in your connection with your relatives.

What would I feel during radiotherapy?
During radiotherapy, nothing is felt, the light used is not visible or perceptible.

What are the side effects?
Since it affects only the area where it is applied, there are no side effects throughout the body, but different side effects can be seen depending on the area where it is applied. It is recommended that you consult your doctor about any side effects that may occur. The most common side effects are fatigue and itchy or dry skin of the treatment area.

Will I get burns on my body?
Severe skin side effects are extremely rare in treatment techniques applied with the Truebeam device.
Will I lose my hair?
There may be hair loss in the treatment area, this may be permanent or temporary depending on the duration and dose of the treatment.