Radiation Oncology

The division of Radiation Oncology is one of the largest divisions in RCC, Thiruvananthapuram comprising of 19 faculty members whose responsibilities include patient care, teaching and research activities.

The division has the capability to plan and execute all modern radiotherapy techniques such as 3DCRT, IMRT & VMAT, IGRT, Respiratory Gating, Radio Surgery (SRS) and SRT. It is equipped with a digital simulator, a 4D CT simulator, two high energy Linear Accelerators, three low energy Linear Accelerators and one Tele-Cobalt machine. There is a dedicated brachytherapy suite with HDR (Microselectron) treatment facility.

The faculty - many of whom are internationally trained - work in close collaboration with a team of dedicated Radiation Physicists and Radiation Technologists to provide high-tech quality controlled radiation to patients at an affordable expense. As many as 8000 patients receive radiotherapy each year.

The division has received accreditation of its radiation delivery systems from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, one of the foremost cancer centres in the world, and also by the EQUAL ESTRO (Quality Control Board of European Union).

Trained as clinical oncologists with expertise in both radiotherapy and systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted (biological) therapy, the faculty are responsible for non-surgical treatments of most solid cancers as well. They also have the expertise to manage any side-effects or toxicities arising from such treatments.

Teaching programmes
The division of Radiation Oncology has been in the forefront of human resource development from the inception of RCC giving training to the MD and DMRT students of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. The National Board of Examinations, New Delhi accredited this division as a training centre for DNB Radiotherapy in 2005 and this course was conducted till 2011.

In the year 2012, the Medical Council of India granted permission to commence M D Radiotherapy course (8 seats/year) in affiliation with the Kerala University of Health Sciences. The MD Radiotherapy course run by RCC was recognized by MCI in 2015.

The training imparted is comprehensive and includes training in evaluation and diagnosis of cancer, decision making and execution of rational multi-modality therapy tailored to individual patient needs.

The division also attracts short term trainees from various medical and dental colleges across the country.

Research Activities
Apart from patient care, the division is also actively involved in translational research and clinical trials expected to lead to new treatments for cancer. Participation in clinical trials is offered to appropriate patients after a diligent and stringent regulatory approval and informed consent process. Radiation Oncology Team »