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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.


Contact Information

Shalu Branch 04-26625111
No.117, Shatian Road Shalu District, Taichung City 433, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Dajia Branch 04-26885599
No.321, Jingguo Road Dajia District, Taichung City 437, Taiwan (R.O.C.)


MedicalDepartment Introduction

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.

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