What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that uses concentrated radiation beams to kill cancer cells. An important tool for treating cancer, it is often used in conjunction with other therapies, such as chemotherapy. These beams, often comprised of high-energy X-rays, damage the genetic material within cancer cells, disrupting their ability to divide and grow, ultimately leading to their destruction.
Radiation therapy shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells, and while it injures healthy cells in the process, normal, non-cancerous cells have the ability to recover from it.
Radiation is targeted only to specific points in your body during treatment to minimise it's effects. It can be used during different stages of cancer treatment and may be paired in conjunction with another form of treatment. It can also alleviate symptoms in advanced, late-stage cancer and can kill any remaining cancer cells still present after surgery.
Radiation oncology employs a variety of treatment strategies tailored to the specific type, location, and stage of cancer:
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
This is the most common form of radiation therapy, where radiation is delivered from a source outside the body, precisely targeting the tumor. Advanced techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), allow for even greater precision and minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues. - Brachytherapy
In this approach, radioactive sources are placed directly within or near the tumor, delivering a high dose of radiation to the target while sparing surrounding tissues. - Systemic Radiation Therapy
This involves the administration of radioactive substances that travel throughout the body, targeting cancer cells wherever they may be located. This approach is often used for cancers that have spread widely, such as certain types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Radiation therapy is frequently integrated with other cancer treatments to optimize patient outcomes. For instance, it may be administered before surgery to reduce tumor size, facilitating surgical removal, or after surgery to eliminate any residual cancer cells. Combining radiation with chemotherapy can enhance treatment efficacy by attacking cancer cells through distinct mechanisms.
Radiation oncology is an indispensable tool in the fight against cancer, offering precise and effective treatment options that contribute to improved outcomes and quality of life for patients.
Our dedicated teams of experienced multidisciplinary specialists and healthcare professionals work together to provide treatment plans tailored to the needs of our patients on their recovery journey.
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Conditions We Treat
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the bladder, the triangle-shaped muscular organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine.
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Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer starts in the esophagus, the long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach.
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Nose Cancer
Nose cancer, or nasopharyngeal cancer as is more accurately named, occurs when cells of the lining of the passageway behind the nose, called the nasopharynx multiply abnormally to form a tumour. The most common cell type for nasopharyngeal cancer in Singapore is called undifferentiated carcinoma, which is strongly associated with a virus called Epstein Barr Virus (EBV).
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Head and Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers are cancers that occur in the head and neck region.They can occur in the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands.
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the cancer of the lung and is a condition where a malignant tumour is present in the tissues of the lungs. The lungs are located on either side of the chest and receive oxygen from the air when we breathe and transfers it into the bloodstream. They also transfer the carbon dioxide in our body to the atmosphere when we exhale. Most lung cancer cases are caused by long-term tobacco smoking. Lung cancer may also be determined by genetic factors and exposure to various chemicals and air pollution.
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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the cancer of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ is between the stomach, liver and intestine in your abdomen. Digestive enzymes are released by the pancreas into the small intestine to aid the digestion of food. Hormones, insulin and glucagon are also released by the pancreas into the bloodstream. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to diagnose and is usually discovered only in the later stages. The most common type is pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
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Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among men. The disease occurs when cancer cells form in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland located between the penis and bladder. Prostate cancer in its early stages is usually localized, but it can spread to other organs if left untreated.
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Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the cancer of the skin and is also known as melanoma. The skin is the body’s largest organ and protects it against sunlight, heat, injury, and infection. It also helps control body temperature and has several layers. The two main layers are the upper or outer layer called the epidermis, and the lower or inner layer called the dermis. The epidermis is made up of three kinds of cells, the squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes that make melanin.
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the number one cancer among Singaporean women. It usually occurs when harmful (malignant) cells originate from the cells lining the milk ducts and glands. In advanced breast cancer, cancerous cells can spread through the breast to the rest of the body.
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Gynecological Cancers
Gynecological cancers develop in the female reproductive organs, such as the cervix, the vagina, the vulva, the uterus, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Vaginal cancer is a rare cancer that can affect the cells that line the vaginal canal. Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer that affects the vulva, or the outer part of the female genitalia. Endometrial or uterine cancer is the cancer of the uterus. Ovarian cancer is the cancer of the ovaries. Fallopian tube cancer is a rare cancer that affects the fallopian tubes. Peritoneal cancer is another rare form of cancer but can appear as ovarian cancer on initial diagnosis.
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Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is the cancer of the kidney. The kidneys are located in the abdomen on either side of the spine and they filter waste from your blood and make urine. Renal cell carcinoma is cancer that forms in the lining of tiny tubules in the kidney and is the most common form of kidney cancer.
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Throat Cancer
Throat cancer is a general term that applies cancer that develops in your throat or voice box.
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Treatments We Offer
Lutetium-177 Octreotate Therapy
Lutetium-177 (Lu177) Octreotate Therapy is a targeted radionuclide therapy for patients with neuroendocrine cancers and metastatic neuroendocrine cancers.
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Breast Cancer Treatment
It usually occurs when harmful (malignant) cells originate from the cells lining the milk ducts and glands. There are various treatments available for breast cancer, ranging from surgery to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal treatment.
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