The goal of cancer treatment is to eradicate the disruptive cancer cells from the body, thereby preserving organ function and extending the patient's life. Traditional cancer treatments primarily employ three methods: surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Depending on the circumstances, doctors typically remove larger lesions with surgery, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to inhibit and destroy cancer cells
Mainly targets rapidly dividing cells and kills them by interfering with their ability to replicate themselves
Usually used to alleviate symptoms or as adjunct treatment (adjuvant chemotherapy)
Administered orally, intravenously, or through other injection methods such as intramuscular, subcutaneous, direct lesion, or arterial injections
Topical application to the skin is another approach
Routine blood tests are required to track the body’s reaction to chemotherapy medications
Chemotherapy drug may be temporarily stopped if blood cells levels are not satisfactory, resuming once levels return to normal
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Reduced blood cells count
Oral ulcers
Hair loss
Constipation and diarrhoea
Itchy and flaky skin
Hearing changes
Nerve and muscle numbness
Medication may be prescribed to manage discomfort associated with chemotherapy.
Also known as radiation therapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation (X-rays) to kill cancer cells or stop their growth
Pre-surgery treatment:
Used to shrink larger tumours to improve the certainty of complete tumour resection
Post-surgery treatment:
Used to kill remaining cancer cells around the tumour after resection surgery to reduce the risk of tumour recurrence
Non-surgical cases:
Recommended when surgical removal of the tumour is not feasible, often in conjunction with chemotherapy or as a standalone treatment
Provides symptom alleviation and pain relief, particularly in terminally ill patients
Also used in benign tumours and haematological diseases
External Radiation:
It involves directing high-energy beams from a radiation machine to target cancer cells in a specific area of the body
Examples of external radiation treatments encompass 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Internal Radiation:
Also known as brachytherapy
Involves placing a radioactive source or implant inside the body as close to the tumour as feasible
The implant functions to deliver radiation directly to the cancerous cells
Common cancers treated with internal radiation include breast, lung, cervical, head, neck, and prostate cancers
Systemic Radiation:
Involves the administration of radioactive drugs orally or intravenously
These drugs subsequently circulate throughout the body.
Fatigue
Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Hair loss (only in the irradiated area)
The skin becomes red, itchy, and dry, or moisture builds up in the irradiated area
Skin fibrosis and darkened pigmentation at the radiation site
Fibrosis of subcutaneous tissue, wounds, and muscles,
Rectal mucositis causing bleeding and diarrhoea
Bladder inflammation may lead to frequent urination or bleeding
Impaired ovarian function and early menopause
Vagina becomes dry and narrow
Male sexual dysfunction and decreased sperm count
The severity of the side effects and complications depends on the scope and dose of radiotherapy, as well as the patient's physical condition. Patients can apply ointments on the skin or take other medications prescribed by the doctor to reduce the impact of side effects.
In terms of external radiation, Prince Court Medical Centre is equipped with the cutting-edge Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator to provide advanced radiation therapy for various types of cancers, such as:
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
Delivers precise radiation doses with adjustable beam intensities
Improves tumour dose coverage and uniformity
Minimises radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues
Reduces treatment time and patient discomfort
Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
Utilises continuous dynamic arc multi-angle rotation for treatment
Enhances tumour targeting and dose distribution
Reduces overall treatment time
Lowers side effects by sparing healthy tissues
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
Employs low-energy X-rays for imaging before each session
Ensures accurate targeting by accounting for patient positioning and internal organ movement
Allows real-time remote control adjustments during treatment
Minimises errors and enhances precision
Whole-body stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT)
Provides high doses of radiation to tumours in fewer sessions
Targets tumours in various body parts, including lungs and liver
Uses precise imaging and immobilisation techniques
Reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissues
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain tumours
Offers a non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery
Delivers high doses of focused radiation in one or a few sessions
Utilises detailed imaging for precise targeting
Minimises exposure to healthy brain tissues and reduces the risk of side effects
Advanced Respiratory Control
Features an active breathing control system (Response™ gating Active Breathing Coordinator) to minimise the impact of breathing on tumour position, allowing radiation to be irradiated more accurately at the tumour site
Essential for accurately targeting lung and liver tumours
Leading cancer treatment centre in Malaysia, Prince Court Medical Centre provides comprehensive cancer treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific cancer type, stage, physical condition, and personal preferences. Our goal is to provide effective and personalised treatment strategies to guide patients as they navigate their journey towards cancer survivorship with confidence.
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