Best Radiation Therapists in India
- Radiation Oncologist, Chennai, India
- Over 32 years’ experience
- Apollo Cancer Centre, Apollo Hospitals Greams Road
Profile Highlights:
- Dr. Rajendran B has developed expertise in the treatment of conditions like Cancer and Central Nervous System Tumors.
- He has studied radiotherapy and was recognized as the first oncologist to perform radiosurgery in Northern Malaysia in 2008.
- Dr. Rajendran takes interest in engaging in social groups related to his field and holds Indian Medical Association (IMA) membership.
Best Radiation Oncology Hospitals in India
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Equipped with 650 beds, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital is the largest stand-alone private sector hospital in Delhi.
- With over 1500 healthcare providers and 150 globally renowned super specialists, the hospital is one of Asia’s largest BMT Centres. The hospital is known for having some of the best cancer doctors in the country.
- The hospital is NABH and NABL accredited and was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Located in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, Apollo Health City is a world-renowned medical facility that provides outstanding care and treatment to patients coming from different parts of the world.
- Founded in 1988, this 550-bed multispecialty hospital with 50 specialties and 12 Centres of Excellence continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for patients with the simplest to the most complicated medical conditions.
- Backed by the latest medical equipment and a dedicated team of professionals, the hospital provides comprehensive treatment across various specialties including, cardiology, critical care, neurosciences, cancer, orthopedics, gynecology, ENT, transplants, gastroenterology, etc.
- Apollo Health City is a cutting-edge healthcare facility that combines various facilities under one roof. These may include state-of-the-art physical medicine, rehabilitation, and wellness services with education, research, telemedicine, innovative medical devices, disease management programmes, and medical talents.
- The hospital is known for offering top-notch cancer treatment accompanied by cutting-edge facilities and technology.
- The hospital also offers a broad spectrum of cosmetic procedures that improve not just appearance but also comfort.
- In 2011, Apollo Health City was the recipient of the Asian Hospital Management Award (AHMA).
- In 2013, the Government of India recognized Apollo Health City as the top medical tourism destination in the country.
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Named after the wife of Indian industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, this is one of the top hospitals in Mumbai. This 750-bed multi-specialty hospital became operational in 2009. Known as one of India’s most advanced tertiary care facilities, the hospital is designed to raise India’s global standing as a healthcare hub, with an emphasis on excellence in clinical services.
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital uses Protocol and Care Pathway based treatment models to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
- The hospital represents a confluence of top-notch talent, cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and, most importantly commitment.
- The hospital also holds the accreditation of the NABH, NABL, CAP, and JCI.
- The hospital has been recognized as the No. 1 Multispecialty Hospital in Mumbai and the West Zone for the fifth year in a row in 2020 by The Week.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Apollo Cancer Centre in Teynampet, Chennai is one of the best super speciality hospitals in India. It is the country’s first ISO-certified healthcare facility.
- Additionally, it is the first hospital in Chennai and the first oncology hospital in India to receive NABH accreditation.
- The hospital provides advanced tertiary care in oncology, orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, and reconstructive and plastic surgery.
- Additionally, it offers specialized healthcare of international standards with results comparable to those of the best hospitals in the world.
- It is outfitted with 300 beds, the newest and greatest technology, a large pool of highly qualified specialists, and a committed team of medical and paramedical professionals.
- It is one of the first few medical facilities in India to offer comprehensive cancer care. A team of skilled medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists makes up the Tumour Board, which is a component of the complete treatment planning system. After reviewing reported cases, the Board determines in concert with diagnostic specialists what course of action is best for each individual patient. The panel is further supported by dieticians, medical counselors, speech therapists, and other pertinent specialists.
- The hospital launched the first ExcelsiusGPS® Spine Robot in South India and has completed over 50 surgeries till date.
- It is also one of the few cancer hospitals in India to offer Cyber Knife therapy. Till now it has completed 1320 Cyber Knife therapies.
- The institution is also one of the few in India with the capacity to do transplants and find a prospective unrelated donor. The hospital has performed over 1000 BMTs till now.
- Furthermore, it has an exceptional milestone of performing exultant Micro vascular free tissue transfer and Aesthetic surgeries on more than 1000 patients with success.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, is one of the best hospitals for heart care in India. Over the years, Apollo has expanded all over India, as a healthcare chain.
- India’s first ‘Only Pancreas’ transplant was performed in Apollo Hospital. The hospital is known for successfully performing Asia’s first en-bloc combined heart and liver transplant, and over the years, it has attained a remarkable achievement in the global healthcare space. Around 3-4 organ transplants are performed in the hospital per day.
- Equipped with over 500 beds, this hospital in Chennai was established in 1983 and since then has been among the most preferred hospital for patients from all over the world.
- The hospital holds accreditation of the NABH and JCI and is the first hospital in India to be ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. It is also the first South Indian Hospital to receive subsequent reaccreditation from the JCI USA 4 times.
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 1999, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai, is one of the top healthcare facilities in Southern India. It is part of the Gleneagles Hospital Chain, which is the fourth largest healthcare chain in the country. The hospital specializes in multi-organ transplants of kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, etc.
- The hospital has an excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art lab and equipment set-up. The hospital boasts cutting-edge technologies, a highly skilled team of doctors and surgeons, and trained support staff. Located in Perumbakam, Chennai, it is one of India’s premier health care destinations. The hospital has performed some of the most complex surgical and clinical procedures in India including multi-organ transplantations.
- The hospital’s lung transplantation program is one of the best in the country. The hospital is known for having performed India’s first single lung transplant and first minimal invasive lung transplant. It is also the only Indian hospital to be associated with King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom for liver transplantations.
- City: Hyderabad, India
Hospital Highlights:
- KIMS Hospital (a brand name of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences) is one of the largest and best multi-speciality hospitals in Hyderabad. The hospital provides various treatments to an enormous number of patients.
- The hospital has a capacity of more than 3000 beds. KIMS Hospitals offers different healthcare services in more than 25 specialities and super specialities.
- The hospital is equipped with modern medical equipment and technology. It has robotic equipment to provide minimal invasive techniques for patients.
- The hospital is aimed at providing world-class healthcare facilities and services at an affordable cost for patients.
- The various specialities and departments of the hospital include neurosciences, gastroenterology & hepatology, robotic science, reproductive sciences, dental science, oncological sciences, organ transplantation, heart and lung transplantation and mother and child care.
- City: Kolkata, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 2003, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals is a 750-bed multispecialty tertiary care hospital situated in Kolkata.
- With 33 Centres of Excellence and more than 50 specialties, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata is capable of handling all sorts of patients.
- This tertiary care hospital, which is a 100% subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., India, is regarded as one of Kolkata’s top hospitals.
- The facility is a complete blend of cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and genuine hospitality.
- Focusing on numerous specialties, the hospital provides all-inclusive medical treatments supported by cutting-edge technology and a staff of highly qualified medical specialists.
- Patients across the globe come to Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals Kolkata for their treatment. Moreover, international patients receive full attention and assistance for their treatment and are provided with a hassle free experience.
- Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata is the only hospital in Eastern India to hold the Joint Commission International (JCI) certificate.
- It is also the only hospital in Kolkata to hold the NABL accreditation in six different categories, which includes Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Pathology, Hematology & Immunohematology, Microbiology & Serology, and Histopathology & Cytopathology.
- Furthermore, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata is known for performing the first ever Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis Replacement in East India.
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 1991, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore is the flagship facility of the Manipal Hospitals Group, which is one of the largest networks of Multispecialty Private Hospitals in India.
- The facility is well-known for its state-of-the-art technology, performance-driven, patient-centric, and evidence-based approach.
- The facilities offered at Manipal Hospital meet the highest international standards, allowing the hospital to attract a large number of national and international patients.
- Their expertise encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases in several specializations that address both simple as well as complex medical procedures.
- There are total 600 beds accessible in the hospital for the in-patients so they may heal while being closely watched after by the medical team. In addition, it has 144 critical care units, including NICUs, ICCUs, and ICUs. Apart from that, the hospital also offers 20 contemporary, modular state-of-the-art operating rooms with all the amenities needed.
- The hospital has several departments that are overseen by highly skilled, certified, and experienced medical experts.
- One of the best departments in the hospital is that of the Cancer department which is known for its advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment facilities such as Intracavitary Chemotherapy, Biological Therapy, HIPEC, PIPEC, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, etc.
- It is one of the few hospitals in Bangalore that provides full range of pediatric services, including pediatric emergency services, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric neurology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric orthopaedics, pediatric allergies, pediatric immunology, and infectious diseases.
- Furthermore, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore is also regarded as one of the best hospitals for bone and spine related disorders.
- City: Mumbai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 2016, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai is one of Maharashtra’s most advanced multispecialty hospital. This 500-bed hospital provides sophisticated treatments and integrated super specialty services under one roof.
- The hospital features a cutting-edge infrastructure that houses 13 state-of-the-art operating rooms, advanced laboratory and medical diagnostics, and 120 ultra-modern I.C.U. beds, including N.I.C.U. and P.I.C.U., monitored round the clock by critical care specialists.
- With 57 specialties and subspecialties, the hospital boasts a team of renowned medical specialists who offer accurate diagnosis and treatment with easy accessibility to their patients.
- Additionally, the hospital offers highly customized, individualized health check programs that are made to fit each person’s needs in terms of lifestyle.
- Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has been accredited by both the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI).
- Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has been awarded the “Best Practices-International Services Award” at the annual awards for service excellence and operations excellence.
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high level radiation doses to either kill and eliminate the cancer cells or to shrink the malignant (cancerous) tumors in the body. In fact, every time you use an X-Ray to peep inside your body for a broken bone, you are using an ultra low-dose radiation therapy to obtain the images.
The primary goal of radiation therapy is to focus on the abnormal cell multiplication (in case of cancer) and destroy the growing cells without causing damage to the healthy cells around it. This is probably why radiation therapy is based on precision and expertise and is handled by professional Radiation oncologists only.
Quick Fact:
Radiation therapy is quite popular for cancer treatments, but did you know this form of treatment can also be used for thyroid disorders and certain blood-related diseases too?
How does Radiation Therapy work?
The whole point of radiation therapy is to prevent the growth of abnormal cells which are primarily responsible for cancer. Now, this is done using high, focused light or heat waves which according to science, breaks down the DNA of the cancer cells in such a way that repair or growth becomes impossible for them.
However, do note, radiation therapy does not affect the cancerous cells right away. It may take weeks for the effect to start and the radiation left in the body from the treatment can continue to kill cancerous cells for weeks to come. Often, multiple radiation therapy settings are recommended to impact the cancerous cells.
Radiation Therapy Types: External Beam Vs Internal Radiation
The type of radiation therapy depend on a lot of variables, which include-
- The type of cancer or the part of the body affected
- The growth rate or size of the tumor
- Previous medical history / current medical conditions
- Whether alternative treatment methods will be better or not
- Age, severity of the tumor, patient’s immunity etc.
External Beam Radiation
External Beam Radiation uses a machine to aim the radiation waves at the cancer cells/ tumor. This is a beam-centric, local treatment method where the machine will not touch you, but it will move around the part of the body with the cancer cells.
Internal Radiation
Internal Radiation uses an invasive form of treatment method where the radiation is induced in your body in a solid/ liquid form.
- Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy that uses a radioactive implant in the form of capsules or seeds (solid) to target the cancer cells.
- Systemic radiation therapy is another form of internal radiation which uses swallowing, IV or injection (liquid) to target the cancer cells.
Are there any side effects to Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is notoriously known for its side-effects which may vary from person to person. This depends on the amount of radiation exposure, the body part that has been exposed to radiation, the overall health and immunity/ core strength of the patient, etc.
Radiation therapy side effects can be divided into two parts, more precisely:
Short term side-effects
These show up during or immediately after the procedure and may stick around for a few days or weeks after that. These side effects include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Constant feeling of nausea (may be accompanied by vomiting )
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Change in skin color/texture
These side-effects are often harmless (if experienced in moderation) and are most likely to go away on their own.
Long term Side-effects
These side-effects are a tough nut to crack and may often leave long, if not permanent damage. These include-
- Lymphedema- a condition where lymph fluid build-up may cause extreme pain and discomfort in patients
- Heart or lung damage (if the radiation therapy is directed to/ or nearby to the chest region)
- Increased thyroid problems
- Hormonal changes in women which may lead to menstrual irregularity or menopause.
The good news is, not everyone who undergoes radiation therapy experiences long-term side effects from this condition. However, radiation exposure to certain body parts can increase the risk of long-term effects.
What type of cancers can be treated using Radiation Therapy?
The radiation therapy is often determined by the position of the cancer. For example, Brachytherapy is often recommended for cancer in the eye, neck, breast, cervix or prostate whereas systemic radiation can be used for thyroid gland and hormone related cancers. Based on your diagnosis, your healthcare professional will be the best judge of which radiation therapy to use and for which part.
The Radiation Therapy Dream Team
Here’s a run down of the main team of healthcare professionals who will be appointed to treat you-
- Radio Oncologist & respective nurse
- Radiation therapist
- Radiation physicist
- Dosimetrist (to determine the accurate dosage required)
- nutritionists/ additional help / physical therapists (will be appointed post-therapy as additional help)
What are the other treatments that are used along with Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is not a stand-alone treatment. Often cancer treatments include a medley of procedures, amongst which radiation therapy is one of the crucial ones. However, procedures like chemo, targeted therapy or surgery still are the front-runners to cancer treatment. Radiation therapy is often combined with these or either one of these procedures for maximum effect, pain relief and steady cancer cure.
Radiation Therapy- pre-treatment preparation
Here’s a quick rundown of everything you should cover before your radiation therapy takes place. This includes-
- Helping your medical professionals with a full-suite medical history, including your past or current medication prescription
- Your doctor will prescribe some physical exams which has to be completed and submitted to your doctor on-time.
- Ask your doctor for dietary requirements for 24 hrs leading up to the procedure
What to expect from/ during Radiation Therapy?
We know it must be nerve-wrecking heading for radiation therapy which is why we have listed down everything you should expect during the procedure.
- Before starting the procedure, your radiation oncologist will determine the type of therapy and the required dosage for the procedure.
- Initially an image-testing will be prescribed to locate the exact point where the radiation should be focused at.
- You may be asked to wear a plaster cast to ensure the focus point remains steady and still throughout the radiation process. Don’t worry, this is temporary.
- Often patients undergoing internal radiation are subjected to anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort.
- The external radiation therapy is painless and you will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. However, surrounding healthy tissues and cells, often exposed to radiation, may show signs of distress.
- Radiation therapy usually continues for weeks- often on a consecutive 5-day stretch with a 2-day break to help the surrounding affected tissues heal themselves.
What will your post-Radiation Therapy care be like?
Radiation therapy may leave some short and long term side effects, most of which will affect your diet. We have summarized your diet requirements below, but it’s best if you can ask your appointed nutrition for details since dietary regulations vary from person to person.
Diet Check: Since nausea (and maybe vomiting) will be persistent during this time, your body may develop some mouth sores or throat problems along with it. However, a recovering body would need a lot of energy which is why high calorie and protein intake should be added to your everyday diet.
Lifestyle Check: While some patients are strong enough to continue everyday chores and work during radiation, some might need a little more time to get back to their usual life. Since fatigue will be a common side effect around this time, we encourage patients to mostly work from home or from a comfortable setting where they can get their rest as and when needed.
FAQs
Is Radiation therapy only used to kill the cancer?
In the initial stages, yes, radiation therapy solely focuses on killing the cancer cells, but later in the recovery period, radiation can be used to treat pain and discomfort in patients too.
How long will the side-effects last?
Depending on a lot of factors, your radiation therapy side-effects can be in the form of nausea or extreme tiredness which are depicted as EARLY side effects. These last for a few weeks after the procedure. LATE side effects such as heart or lung problems will probably take years to recover.
Is medical leave necessary for radiation therapy?
This heavily depends on your body’s ability to heal and your level of fatigue. Since side effects like extreme tiredness and nausea may accompany you for a few days- it’s necessary to first access your situation before committing yourself to work.
My side effects are increasing- what should I do?
Notify your doctor immediately.
How should I take care of the radiation exposed area?
Your healthcare professional will help you out with the care guidelines. In most cases, the skin around the exposure area will be sensitive and should not be exposed to harsh chemicals (cosmetics) or direct sunlight.