The Department of Radiation Oncology at Kuang Tien General Hospital is
    closely tied to the Cancer Center, where our medical oncologists, surgeons
    and physicians from other specialties coordinate to offer patients specialized 
    programs in cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.  We strive to
    provide the best possible cancer care by emphasizing on the importance of
    cancer prevention and control. Our Cancer Center is dedicated to the
    advancement of cancer treatment techniques through research and the
    promotion of prevention and awareness through community health
    education events.
    Kuang Tien General Hospital is the only hospital in Taichung County and
    the only regional hospital in Taiwan to be accredited as a Cancer 
    Prevention Center by Taiwan’s Department of Health Bureau of Health
    Promotion.  In March 2004, our hospital was given the highest accreditation
    of “Medical Care Quality Program in Cancer Care” by Taiwan’s Department
    of Health.

    Radiation Oncology specialists offer advanced treatment options: high-energy
    X-rays, electron beams or radioactive isotopes to kill cancer cells without
    exceeding safe doses, protecting the normal tissue. At Kuang Tien General
    Hospital, radiation therapy is tailored to meet the needs of each patient. Our 
    Radiation Oncology team members adhere to quality assurance procedures
    that ensure radiation treatments are appropriately prescribed and accurately   
    delivered.

    1.  External Beam Radiotherapy
         With this type of therapy, an external beam of radiation is directed at a
         particular part of the body. This form of radiation is given on an outpatient
         basis for five to six days a week, over a period of five to seven weeks,
         which varies depending on each patient’s situation. At Kuang Tien General
         Hospital, external radiation treatments include:

         A. Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy（3D-CRT）
              Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy is used to treat tumors that  
              traditionally might have been considered too close to vital organs and 
              structures for radiation therapy.  It is a complex process that begins with
              the creation of individualized, 3D digital data sets of patient tumors and
              normal adjacent anatomy. Using these data sets, 3D computer images
              are generated to develop complex plans to deliver highly focused
              radiation while avoiding normal adjacent tissue. Radiation therapy is
              delivered by medical linear accelerators that releases x-rays focused to
              the area of interest. This technique is painless, reduces side effects and  
              increases the rate of tumor control.

         B. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy（IMRT）
              Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy involves the use of hundreds of
              small radiation beams in varying intensities to produce dosage 
              distributions that are more precise than those possible with 3D-CRT.
              These rays are aimed at the tumor from many angles. During treatment, 
              the radiation intensity of each beam is controlled, and the beam shape
              changes hundreds of times during each treatment. This therapy allows
              more precise radiation distribution, decreases radiation to normal
              sensitive surrounding tissue, increases the chance of destroying cancer
              cells, and decreases the chance of harming normal cells.

         C. Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
              Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) combines imaging and
              treatment capabilities on a single machine.  Kuang Tien General
              Hospital uses the Elekta Synergy, which is the world’s first linear 
              accelerator to feature integrated 3D volume imaging functionality.  
              It allows an image of the tumor site with CT-like quality to be acquired
              and reconstructed immediately before treatment. This cutting-edge
              technology enables visualization of soft tissue detail in any area of the
              body, which allows for determination of the target’s size, shape and
              location in relation to critical structures. This data can then be
              compared with images taken during simulation, and necessary
              adjustments are made to the patient's position and/or radiation 
              beams. This delivers target radiation more precisely at the tumor
              and avoids healthy surrounding tissue.

    2. Brachytherapy
        There are two types of Brachytherapy: Intracavitary Brachytherapy 
        may include placing radioactive sources inside a body cavity such as 
        the vagina, and Interstitial Brachytherapy is the implantation of ionizing
        radiation inside cancerous tissues and positioned in a matter that will
        attack the cancer most efficiently.  This allows a higher than normal
        dose of radiation placed in or adjacent to the tumor and reduces the risk
        of damage to healthy tissue and increases the likelihood of destroying the 
        tumor. Some of the diseases now treated with Brachytherapy include
        prostate cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and coronary 
        artery disease.  Brachytherapy has been proven to be very effective
        and safe, providing a good alternative to surgical removal of the
        prostate, breast, and cervix, while reducing the risk of certain long-term
        side effects.  Some of the Brachytherapy can be used to treat many
        cancers.  Radiation oncologists commonly use it in the treatment of
        cervical, endometrial, prostate and bile dust cancers.