The Center has state-of-the-art equipment, including four advanced Linear Acceleratorsthe only one in Greece Gamma Knife radiosurgery machinea state-of-the-art unit High dose rate brachytherapythe modern treatment planning systems Eclipse, Monaco 5.1, Oncentra, γ-plan, VariSeed and ARIA and MOSAIQ Patient Management System. The experienced and specialized medical staff of the Center uses the most sophisticated equipment and applies the appropriate radiation therapy techniques for each patient, thus personalizing each treatment.

For patient care, doctors from different specialties work together, including experienced radiotherapists, oncologists, radiophysicists, technologists and nurses, while patients have access to specialist clinical nutritionists, specialist psychologists and physiotherapists. At the same time, the Center has a specialized team for radiation therapy for children, applying the most modern techniques with the aim of healing and maintaining their quality of life.

Due to its international recognition and many years of experience, the HYGEIA Radiation Oncology Center was selected as European Reference Center of ELEKTA and works with the company’s Research & Development department to develop and test new treatment planning systems.

The innovative techniques of the HYGEIA Radiation Oncology Center

At the HYGEIA Radiotherapy Oncology Center, the most modern radiation therapy techniques, which were introduced for the first time in Greece, are applied, with the aim of exact dosage to the tumor being treated, while at the same time limiting the dose to the surrounding healthy tissues to the minimum possible.

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a specialized approach to radiation therapy, as it allows the use of multiple beams of radiation that are adjustable not only in shape, but also in intensity. This allows the dose to be increased to the tumor to be treated, with a corresponding increase in the chances of successful treatment, while at the same time further limiting the dose received by healthy organs, thereby reducing potential side effects.

• FFF (Flattening Filter Free) high dose rate radiation therapy

FFF (Flattening Filter Free) high dose rate radiotherapy uses linear accelerators that deliver high dose rates, optimizing the advantages of advanced radiotherapy techniques (IMRT/VMAT). In this way, the optimal irradiation is achieved in the shortest possible time, while maintaining the maximum possible precision in the administration of the dose.

• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

This technique ensures the accuracy of the administration of the radiation dose by using CT images with the help of a CT scanner, which is integrated into the radiation therapy machine. 3D CT images are used to precisely target the target tumor.

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• Stereotactic Radiotherapy – Radiosurgery (SRT/SRS)

Stereotactic Radiotherapy – Radiosurgery is a specialized treatment technique in which highly targeted beams of radiation, controlled with imaging guidance, are used to treat small lesions anywhere on the patient’s body.

• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy & Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy (IMRT & VMAT)

The most advanced forms of radiotherapy that deposit the dose precisely on the target tumor and at the same time minimize the dose received by healthy tissues. These techniques make it possible to increase the dose to the target tumor and correspondingly increase the chance of cure.

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)

It is a specialized technique of administering a very high dose of radiation in 1 to 5 sessions, which is administered with absolute precision inside the body.
This particular technique is indicated in a large category of patients and in particular in patients with initial lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, as well as in patients with metastases in the adrenal gland, liver, bones and lung.

• DIBH Deep Inhalation Irradiation Method

Since 2015, for the first time in Greece, at HYGEIA, radiation therapy with breathing control has been applied. Irradiation is performed in a specific phase of breathing, protecting sensitive organs, achieving precise targeting of tumors in the chest and upper abdomen area that move due to breathing. This technique is mainly applied in the irradiation of the breast, in the irradiation of lesions in the lung and mediastinum, in the pancreas and in the liver. In particular, for breast cancer, the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (Deep Inspiration Breath Hold) radiation technique is applied, which achieves the “immobilization” of the breast in a position where it is as far away from the heart and lung as possible and thus avoids their radiation.

• High dose rate brachytherapy with Ir -192

Brachytherapy is a radiation therapy method in which radiation is delivered from the inside. This method can be applied to diseases, such as gynecological cancer, prostate cancer, etc., alone or in combination with external radiation therapy.

• RTsafe: Personalized method of confirming radiation therapy with an accurate patient dummy

At the HYGEIA hospital, an innovative personalized confirmation method of radiation therapy for the brain and the head-neck area is being applied for the first time in Greece. This innovative method ensures the maximum safety and effective application of the treatment to the patient.

• Radiation therapy with monitoring of body movement (Surface Guided Radiotherapy)

For the first time in Greece, at HYGEIA, radiation therapy is applied with body movement control. This technique ensures that the patient is placed in the same position every day. In addition, both the patient’s breathing cycle and their body surface are monitored throughout the treatment to detect movement other than expected, with an accuracy of less than one millimeter. If unacceptable movement is detected, the treatment is automatically stopped and restarted as soon as the patient returns to the correct position.

• Stereotactic brain radiosurgery with γ-knife

The g-knife Brain Radiosurgery Department is the only one in Greece that has the most advanced Perfexion g-knife machine and was chosen as a Reference Center of the Elekta company. G-knife radiosurgery, or “surgery without a scalpel”, is non-invasive, painless and performed without general anesthesia.

Daily confirmation of the administered dose to the patient

The Radiotherapeutic Oncology Center has the appropriate equipment to be able to know the dose administered daily to patients. This is done by using a specialized system to measure the radiation that penetrates the patient during each treatment. This information is combined with the CT images taken daily in the radiation therapy machine and, using appropriate software, calculates exactly where the dose was delivered and whether any small changes in the patient’s anatomy affect the dose to the target tumor or surrounding healthy tissues, while if deemed necessary, the treatment is redesigned. It is a fully automated process that ensures the accuracy of administration of the required therapeutic dose.

Artificial Intelligence

The Radiotherapeutic Oncology Center has software that uses artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence) for the precise planning of the patient’s normal organs, thus ensuring their protection, reducing side effects and maintaining the patients’ quality of life. The planning is done in a few seconds, allowing the radiotherapy to start immediately.

With innovative technology and a strategic approach to oncological treatment, the Radiation Oncology Center of the HYGEIA hospital emerges as the choice that combines safety, precision and a personalized approach during cancer treatment. The integrated service offering, continuous innovation and commitment to improving the quality of life of patients make the Center unique in Greece and internationally.

Meet the state-of-the-art Edge linear accelerator in the video below.

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