
Our
Services
Rationale
Radiotherapy is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part
of cancer treatment to control or eradicate malignant cells. The aim of
radiotherapy is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour area and
minimize the dose to normal surrounding tissues in an attempt to reduce side
effects. Radiotherapy is a localized treatment and affects cancer cells only in
the treated area. Radiotherapy is planned on an individual basis and is usually
delivered over a number of sessions. It may be used as a curative treatment,
also known as radical treatment, with the aim of destroying a tumour, or as a palliative
treatment, when a curative intent is not possible. The aim of palliative
radiotherapy is to relieve symptoms such as pain. Radiotherapy is delivered by
radiotherapy Radiographers at the Radiotherapy Department within Sir Anthony
Mamo Oncology Centre.
Eligibility and Referral
The person who fulfils the eligibility criteria to benefit from this
service can be referred by a Clinical Consultant Oncologist (CCO) within the
Department of Health.
All Maltese citizens and foreign patients are eligible for treatment
upon presentation of the necessary documentation showing that they are entitled
for free treatment. Individuals who are not eligible for free treatment will be
required to settle a payment for each service provided, at the Billing’s Office
at Mater Dei Hospital.
Required Documents
·
I.D card or passport (all patients);
Foreign patients will be given an entitlement form on presentation of
their last payslip or marriage certificate.
Procedure
Once a patient is referred for Oncology, he/she is seen by the
Consultant Clinical Oncologist (CCO). If the patient requires radiotherapy, a
planning CT-Scan is requested online via ISoft. The patient will then receive a
telephone call from the Radiographers with the planning CT-Scan date and any
instructions he/she must follow. On the day of the scan, the Radiographers will
explain the procedure of the scanning process to the patient and prepare for
the scan.
For the
planning CT-scan the patient is positioned according to the treatment site.
This position has to be comfortable for the patient to ensure it can be reproduced
daily during the whole course of radiotherapy. At the end of the CT-scan, small
permanent markers are tattooed onto the patient so as to ensure reproducibility
of set-up during the treatment. In regards to head and neck patients a custom
made thermoplastic mask is created during the CT-scan which is to be used
during radiotherapy treatment. These markers will serve as reference points to
locate the exact site of treatment. After the CT-scan session the patient is sent
home and will be contacted by telephone, once the planning process is complete
to start radiotherapy.
Planning the Radiotherapy Treatment
The
CT-scan images are used by the CCO to mark the treatment area. A radiotherapy
plan is created with a prescribed radiation dose based on the treatment volume.
This is performed by the Department of Medical Physics. Once the plan is
approved by the CCO, the file is checked by the Radiographers working at
the Record and Verification station, and an appointment is booked.
Delivery of Treatment
The
duration of radiotherapy may vary according to the specific patient case. In
general, this may take up from one day to six weeks. Radiotherapy is delivered
daily from Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays.
Patient Management and Review
During
the course of treatment, the patient encounters the treatment Radiographers on
the unit (Linear Accelerator) daily who will assess the patient’s well-being.
In addition, patients are given a weekly or fortnightly appointment, with either
the Radiotherapy Focal Nurses or Review Radiographers or CCO, at the review
clinic. The purpose of this clinic is to assess and manage any treatment
related side effects that the patient might experience.
Follow-up
At the
end of the radiotherapy course, the patient is given a follow-up appointment by
the Oncology Outpatient Department during which the CCO who will assess the
treatment outcome and discuss the way forward.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Question: How long is each session of
radiotherapy?
Answer. Generally the actual radiation
treatment takes an average of 20 minutes, however, in some cases; additional
time might be required for preparation and set-up.
Question: For how long do I have to
attend for my radiotherapy treatment?
Answer: The duration of radiotherapy
may vary according to the specific patient case. In general, this may take up
from one day to six weeks.
Question: When do I have to attend?
Answer: Radiotherapy is delivered daily
from Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays.
Question: Is radiotherapy painful?
Answer: You should not experience any
pain during radiotherapy treatment.
Question: Will I experience any side
effects?
Answer: Some side effects are to be
expected depending on the treatment area. These will be explained to you prior
to starting treatment by the CCO and are assessed and managed by Review Radiographers
and Radiotherapy Focal Nurses.
Question: Where is this service
available?
Answer: This service is delivered at
the Radiotherapy Department, level -1, within Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre,
opposite Mater Dei Hospital. Unfortunately, this service is currently not
available at Gozo General Hospital.
Contact Us
Address
Radiotherapy
Department, Level -1
Sir
Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre
Tal-Qroqq,
Msida Malta MSD 2090
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Telephone
Radiotherapy reception: 2545 2320/1
Radiotherapy
secretary: 2545 2688
Opening Hours
Monday-Friday:
7.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m
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