Q. What is tomotherapy?

A. Tomotherapy is a non-invasive form of radiation therapy that is used for the treatment of tumors. It combines intensity-modulated radiation therapy or IMRT and CT scan (three-dimensional imaging) technologies to target the tumor precisely.

Q. Which doctor performs tomotherapy?

A. A radiation oncologist performs tomotherapy.

Q. How many tomotherapy sessions are needed to treat cancer?

A. The number of tomotherapy treatment sessions needed to treat cancer varies depending on the location, size, and severity of the tumor present. Tomotherapy sessions are generally provided five times a week, for a period of one to eight weeks.

Q. How long does each tomotherapy session last?

A. Each tomotherapy session lasts for about 10 to 20 minutes.

Q. What can I expect after my first tomotherapy session?

A. It is normal to feel some fatigue and skin irritation after a tomotherapy session. However, these side effects are usually temporary and go away on their own after a few weeks.

Q. How long will it take to recover from fatigue following tomotherapy?

A. Recovery from fatigue following tomotherapy may take approximately three to four weeks, however, in certain cases, it may take up to three months for the fatigue to disappear.

Q. What is the cost of tomotherapy in India?

A. The cost of tomotherapy varies depending on the type and severity of the cancer being treated. The cost of tomotherapy will also vary depending on the expertise of the doctor and the hospital in which the patient is undergoing treatment. On average, the cost of tomotherapy in India is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.

Tomotherapy at HN Reliance Hospital, Girgaon, Mumbai

Q: Q. Which types of cancers can be treated using tomotherapy?

A. Tomotherapy is helpful in treating multiple tumors simultaneously at one time. The different types of cancers that can be treated using tomotherapy include: Lung cancer Brain cancer Breast cancer Head and neck cancer Prostate cancer Spinal cord cancer

Minimum Price : 300000 Maximum Price : 500000

Symptoms

Tomotherapy is used to treat several cancers in different stages. The different types of cancers that can be treated using tomotherapy are:

Prostate cancer
Lung cancer
Brain cancer
Breast cancer
Head and neck cancer
Spinal cord cancer

Diagnosis

Physical examination: The symptoms and medical history of the patient are evaluated by the doctor.
Imaging tests: CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans are the different types of imaging tests that may be performed before the procedure to create a clear picture of the tumor in a three-dimensional view and to plan the procedure.
Endoscopy: An endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera on one end) is used by the doctor for the examination of an organ internally.
Blood tests: They help in the diagnosis of certain underlying medical conditions.
Biopsy: The doctor will surgically remove the tissue growth and send it to the laboratory for evaluation.

Treatment

You will first be told to lie down on the treatment table. Your position may be changed from session to session, depending on the location and shape of the tumor.
Before the radiation therapy is started, a 3D image of the treatment area is obtained using a CT scan.
The CT scan helps in shaping the radiation beams according to the location, size, and shape of the tumor on that particular day.
A thin beam of radiation is then made to rotate around the patient’s body and then enter the body from different directions to kill the tumor cells.
A machine called a linear accelerator or LINAC machine is used to deliver the radiation beams. It helps in the delivery of the radiation beams from any point on a 360° circle around the body and precisely sculpts the radiation around the tumor, thus targeting the tumor and causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
A computer processor monitors the delivery of the radiation beams at a pre-determined intensity, at any given point in time.
The procedure is painless and each treatment session takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

Risks

The complications associated with tomotherapy are:

Skin irritation
Skin rashes
Loss of appetite
Dry mouth, throat, and eyes
Nausea
Headache
Fatigue
Hair loss in the treatment area
Risk of developing secondary cancer (rare)

After Procedure

The procedure is an outpatient procedure, which means that you can go home on the same day after treatment.
You can resume your daily activities on the same or the next day after the treatment.
It is normal to feel fatigued for four to six weeks following the last radiation therapy session.
The number of treatment sessions needed will vary depending on the type and site of the tumor. Normally, the treatment sessions may include five sessions a week, for one to eight weeks.
Regular follow-ups and imaging tests like CT scans are recommended to check if the tumor has been eliminated completely removed after treatment and also check for any recurrence of cancer.

Home remedies:

Get plenty of rest and practice a good sleep routine after a treatment session.
Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Avoid direct exposure of the skin in the treated area to the sun.
Wear loose-fitting clothes, especially over the treatment area.
Avoid exposure of the treatment area to extreme heat or cold.

Benefits:

The advantages of tomotherapy include:

Real-time imaging of tumors helps in treatment planning
Radiation targeted accurately according to the tumor shape
High-dose radiation delivery causing increased treatment effectiveness
Less damage to the surrounding healthy tissues and organs
Flexible treatment that can target complex, multiple, and sensitive brain areas
Limits other unnecessary medical treatments
Can treat tumors located near the vital organs or difficult to approach
Can treat many tumors simultaneously at one time

Cost of Tomotherapy in India-

The cost of tomotherapy in Mumbai is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Delhi is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 4,50,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Bangalore is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 4,50,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Chennai is between INR 2,50,000 to INR 4,00,000.

Tomotherapy