Manila Doctors Hospital recently introduced its latest technology in cancer care that is aimed to deliver powerful cancer treatments with pinpoint accuracy and precision.
In a media conference, it was announced that the VitalBeam™ radiotherapy system is the first and the most advanced in the country.
The new equipment “uniquely integrates imaging and treatment technologies within a sophisticated architecture that makes it possible to deliver image-guided treatments very quickly, opening the door to new possibilities for the treatment of lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, as well as other cancers that are treatable with radiotherapy.”
According to Dr. Mario Juco, Medical Director of Manila Doctors Hospital, the “VitalBeam is a real game-changer, making it possible for us to offer our patients fast, targeted treatments.”
“Imaging is an essential part of modern-day, targeted radiotherapy,” explained Dr. Antonio Villalon Head of the Cancer Institute at Manila Doctors Hospital. “This machine allows us to choose an imaging mode that minimizes the amount of X-rays needed to generate an image—and that’s good for our patients.”
With this technology, simple treatments that once took 15 minutes or more can be completed in less than two once the patient is in position. “These are significant reductions in treatment time,” said Dr. Villalon. “Many patients will spend a whole lot less time lying still, immobilized on a hard surface.”
It can be used for radiotherapy treatments including image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery (IGRT and IGRS), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and RapidArc® radiotherapy. Treatments using the new equipment ranges from P80,000 to P300,000.
“With VitalBeam, we can select the optimal treatment for every type of cancer,” said Dr. Teresa Sy Ortin, Chair of Radiology Oncology Department. “This is a breakthrough that enables us to offer a wider spectrum of advanced radiotherapy treatment options to more patients. It represents a big step forward in our ability to help people fight cancer.”
Citing data from the World Health Organization, “cancer is the second leading cause of death globally and is estimated to account for 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Its 2018 Global Cancer Country Profile for the Philippines cites that more than 80,000 deaths were attributed to this deadly disease with lung, colorectal, prostate, liver, and leukemia are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, cervix, colorectal, lung, and ovarian cancer are the most common among women.
