Medical advancement: Training for new treatment gives hope to cancer patients

The new technology reduces negative side effects of radiation therapy.

ABBOTTABAD: The Institute of Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy (INOR) hosted a training course on Monday for radiation therapy in cancer treatment.

Oncologists have been using Stereo-tactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to treat cancer patients all over the world, but the technology has just now arrived in Pakistan, experts say.

The two-day course is organised by the International Energy Commission (IEA) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Over 100 medical professionals and students from several universities will learn about the new radiotherapy treatment.



SBRT uses advanced technology to better target cancer cells with radiation doses, thus limiting the damage done to healthy tissue.

While speaking at the event’s inauguration, Director of INOR and country coordinator for the SBRT programme, Dr Nadeem Abbasi said scientists are working on innovative ways to use nuclear technology for the country’s development in the fields of energy, agriculture and medicine.

“SBRT’s modern technology offers effective treatment to cancer patients all over the world and it is now being introduced in Pakistan,” added Abbasi.

“The training would enable doctors to offer cancer patients a new lease on life,” said Dr SM Javed Akhtar, a senior member of PAEC.

PAEC has established 18 state-of-the-art cancer hospitals across the country and according to Abbasi, 80% of cancer patients are treated at these facilities.

According to Dr Shoaib who works at INOR in Abbottabad, the facility has been treating breast cancer patients from Hazara division, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) since 2004 and its outpatient department accommodates 60 to 80 patients from its catchment areas on a daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.