SOCIETY
Azerbaijan National Oncology Center applies new methods of radiotherapy
Baku, February 21 (AZERTAC). In many developing countries, cancer remains a major public health problem with high overall incidence and higher frequency of advanced stage at diagnosis. Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy remains the main treatment modality for patients with advanced cancer.
The radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
At least 50 percent of all cancer patients will receive radiotherapy at some stage during the course of their illness.
Up to now, only 35-40% of patients with cancer could receive radiotherapy at the National Center of Oncology of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Health for a lack of high-precision radiotherapy techniques, leaving mainly for European countries for a treatment.
But today, as a result of development processes, all methods of radiotherapy are applied at the Center including 2D radiotherapy, 3D conformal radiotherapy and brachytherapy (also known as internal radiotherapy, sealed source radiotherapy, curietherapy orendocurietherapy, is a form of radiotherapy where a radiation source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment.)
According to the Center of Oncology, an application of IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy methods will start on May, 2013.
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-powered x-rays on a small area of the body.
National Center of Oncology is also successfully realizing brachytherapy which is commonly used as an effective treatment for cervical, prostate, breast, and skin cancer.
Highly developing countries are applying all these methods to clinical practice so fast. Azerbaijan is among world-leaders in this field.