Radiotherapy

About the specialty

Radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible. It is used alone or combined with surgery and medical treatments.

The radiation oncologist defines the technique suited to the patient. Polycrabat Sevamed facilitates referral and the organisation of the stay for the duration of treatment.

Main conditions treated

• Breast cancers
• Prostate cancers
• Head and neck cancers
• Lung cancers
• Brain tumours
• Treatment of pain or metastases

Tests, techniques and procedures

The techniques used and their indication are decided by the doctor, case by case. As a general guide:

• Planning CT scan
• Conformal radiotherapy
• Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (VMAT)
• Stereotactic radiotherapy

Depending on the medical indication, the technique concerned is offered within the Polycrabat Sevamed network. Its availability in a specific facility is confirmed by the coordination team on a case-by-case basis.

VMAT: intensity-modulated radiotherapy

VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy) is a radiotherapy technique in which the machine rotates around the patient while continuously adjusting the intensity and shape of the radiation beam, so that it matches the area to be treated more closely. It is used depending on the indication and the location of the tumour.

Stereotactic treatment: high precision on a clearly defined target

Stereotactic radiotherapy delivers high doses to a small target in a limited number of sessions, thanks to very precise targeting. It is intended for situations selected by the radiotherapy team.

The patient pathway

1. 01
   File reviewAnalysis of reports, imaging and available results.
2. 02
   Multidisciplinary discussionJoint opinion of the disciplines concerned on the strategy.
3. 03
   Assessment and imagingTests needed for the treatment decision.
4. 04
   TreatmentSurgery, medical treatment, radiotherapy or a combination according to the strategy.
5. 05
   MonitoringFollow-up of treatment effects and tolerance.
6. 06
   Follow-up and referring doctorContinuity with the doctor in the home country.

A multidisciplinary approach

The radiation oncologist works with the oncologist, the surgeon, the radiologist and the medical physicist.

Health Info guides

Key facts to understand tests and treatments before discussing them with your doctor.

• Radiotherapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy: the differences→
• Prostate cancer: PSA, MRI, biopsy and treatments→
• Cancer: why the multidisciplinary team meeting is essential→
• Breast and gynaecological cancers: screening and diagnosis→
• Meningioma: monitoring, surgery or radiosurgery?→
• Radiotherapy in Morocco: organising your treatment→

All Health Info guides

See also

• VMAT→
• Stereotactic treatment→
• Brachytherapy→
• Medical oncology→

International patients

Polycrabat Sevamed supports patients coming from abroad: file review, referral to a specialist, scheduling appointments, hospitalisation, coordination of the medical stay and continuity with the doctor in the home country.