The Department of Radiation Oncology at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road is equipped to treat a number of conditions with radiation therapy that includes:

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, offers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care with a highly skilled and experienced team of physicians and support staff. With state-of-the-art cancer treatment options available at our facilities, we offer a complete range of cancer care services to our patients. A specialised division in medicine that allows radiation in treating cancer with the objective of curing it, reducing the pain or any other symptoms triggered by cancer is known as radiation oncology or radiation therapy. In order to execute a session of radiation oncology, three distinct experts are involved in the process – the radiation oncologist, the radiation therapist and the radiation oncology / medical physicist. These professionals have received extensive training. Using the latest technologies, they are able to deliver radiation therapy in a safe and effective manner to patients diagnosed with cancer. Most cancer patients undergo radiation therapy during some phase of their treatment and about 40% are cured by it. This form of therapy can be applied to treat several types of cancers either singularly or in combination with chemotherapy and other treatments. The process is totally non-invasive and is a cost effective way to treat cancer. In the field of radiation oncology, Fortis Hospitals has an established tradition of leadership and innovation. We are pioneers in using computer-assisted image guide therapy that allows our radiation experts to concentrate the radiation on the tumour. We aim to minimise any side effects and risks to any surrounding body organs whilst our patients are undergoing radiation therapy. We are compassionate towards the individual needs of our patients who have come to us for cancer treatment. The highest levels of commitment and care comes from the years of experience of our team of dedicated and skilled radiation oncologists with a single goal to help beat your cancer.

Diagnostic Screenings

The process of radiation oncology uses multiple imaging devices to diagnose cancer. Some of the diagnostic and treatment planning methods at Fortis Hospitals include:

- PET and CT Scan Based Cancer Treatment:

This combination of diagnostic screening is powerful and provides accurate detections of multiple types of cancer. With two imaging techniques in use:

The PET scan is able to pinpoint to the presence of cancerous cells and takes exact visuals of the tumour.

The CT scan, on the other hand, creates a 360° view of the body in a 3-D format



By putting together the two scanned images, the radiation oncologist is able to get an overall assessment of the location, size and shape of the tumour. This diagnostic scanning can help your specialist build the foundation of your cancer treatment.

- Diagnosing Cancer with 4D PET-CT and 4D CT Scans:

The combined scanning capabilities of the 4-D PET-CT scans produce extremely accurate and quick visuals of tumorous growths in the chest, abdomen and pelvis regions. In addition to getting visuals of the tumour, the screening also captures the organ and tumour movement and its metabolism rate over a pre-designated period of time.

The 4-D CT Scan using the latest imaging technology possesses a faster and precise detection capability in comparison to a conventional CT scan image. By using the 4-D CT Scan, it is able to take visuals of the exact location of the tumour, is able to record the movements of the tumour and other organs of the body over a period of time.



Being able to see images of the formation and the functioning of the tumour, your specialist at Fortis will be able devise the accurate radiation treatment plan, allowing intervals in the breathing cycle, especially in the case of moving tumours. They will also work towards minimising any side effects for the patient post the radiation therapy session.

- On-Board Imager® (OBI)* and Cone-Beam CT:

This combination permits radiation oncologists to get a visual of the tumour just before the planned treatment starts. This screening ascertains that the tumour and the patient is at the same position as was originally planned.

The OBI screening creates 2-D images

The CBCT generates 3-D images



Being a part of the image-guided therapy, both scans are able to locate the tumour in the body with absolute accuracy in order for your specialist to plan an optimised treatment route.

- Functional Imaging:

Planning effective radiation treatment can be a challenge as tumours are not solid masses and they may intermingle with the nearby healthy tissue as they keep growing. Alternative imaging tests are only able to detect the location of the tumour in the patient’s body along with its shape and size. With functional imaging, the screening helps to focus on the tumour’s functionality by capturing its chemical activity and composition. The test combines the following to get a complete picture of the tumour:

PET scan

MRI

CT scan



This process of combining imaging tests permits the usage of higher levels of radiation in order to treat the active tumour areas more effectively and safely.

Radiation Oncology Procedure

The reaction to radiation therapy of each patient is different. The process begins with the patient and the care team discussing the options available in terms radiation oncology. The specialist, during the meeting, will explain the following:

What is the goal of the patient’s treatment plan?

In what way will radiation therapy help the patient in his or her treatment?

What is the expected success rate of the radiation therapy as assumed by the radiation oncologist?



The patient will also receive instructions on how to prepare for the radiation sessions. As a precursor to the radiation therapy, the specialist will first recommend a simulation session that the patient has to undergo. During this session the patient basically goes through the motions of the radiation therapy experience. Noting the patient’s reactions to this simulation session, the specialist will be able to more accurately plan the actual radiation therapy session.

Radiation therapy is not without its share of side effects. However, patients may or may not experience the same. If radiation therapy is being given in combination with chemotherapy, then the side effects could be more severe.

Depending on the location of the cancer, the common side effects of radiation therapy include:

Experiencing discomfort in digestion including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Experiencing unusual tiredness

Experiencing loss of appetite

Experiencing changes on the skin

Experiencing sudden loss of weigh



The radiation oncologist at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta, along with his support team will work towards reducing the side effects of the therapy to the best of their abilities.

Types of Radiation Oncology

Using a linear accelerator or a high energy x-ray machine, targets the powerful radiation beams on the tumour in the body. This is the standard technology of radiation therapy. Some form of cancers may however use radiation that can be directed internally to target the tumour more accurately.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta has specialists who are experts in the following types of radiation therapy:

- External Beam Radiation Therapy:

This therapy procedure uses an external machine, to target the tumour with radiation beams. The sub-types of this includes:

3D conformal radiation therapy

Image-guided radiotherapy

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy

RapidArc® radiotherapy

Stereotactic radiosurgery

TrueBeam radiosurgery



- Internal Radiation Therapy:

This therapy procedure uses a catheter or an applicator as a medium of insertion of the radioactive seeds directly where the cancerous cells are located in the body.

- Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Ablative Radiotherapy:

During this radiation procedure, the cancerous cells can be destroyed or damaged using electrically active atoms via an incisionless, painless surgical process.

At Fortis, the department of radiation oncology is progressive using cutting-edge technologies along with modern, state-of-the-art facilities. The team comprises of leading experts in radiation oncology that only emphasizes that the procedures performed will ensure that the patient’s cancer receives optimal treatment.

Our Team that Cares

No doubt, cancer is an extremely complex and challenging condition. Providing premium cancer care to our patients, requires a team of specialists from multiple disciplines to come together and collaborate the best treatment route. It also needs assistance with the latest advancements in medicine, access to modern technologies and a commitment towards advance cancer care.

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road is one of the best radiation divisions in the city of Bengaluru that is concentrating on perfecting accurate imaging, targeted therapy and harnessing the power of precision to destroy cancer cells. Fortis is leading the way towards enhancing patient care with the latest treatments and therapy available in radiation, thus achieving the objective of improving the quality of life of the patient.