Christiaan Barnard gets all-in-one cancer clinic

A CLINIC specialising in holistic care for cancer has opened in the city after a decade of planning.

The oncology unit consists of two parts. The chemotherapy unit is on the 16th floor of the hospital, and the radiation oncology service unit, which houses the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator, is in the basement. This is due to the standard concrete shielding required for this machine.

The unit was officially opened on Wednesday April 25. The operating hours are 8.30am to 5pm.

The centre commenced with radiotherapy in December and went on to launch a chemotherapy service in February.

“The establishment of this modern oncology centre equipped with advanced technology enables the communities of Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, Salt River and Woodstock convenient access to specialised cancer care,” said Chris Tilney, general manager of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.

“The hospital’s new home on the foreshore provided us with the opportunity to custom- design a dedicated oncology centre which accommodates the need for these services in a modern setting.

“The comprehensive range of treatment solutions that Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hos- pital is now able to offer includes cutting-edge radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, which may be used either independently or in specific combinations to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.”

A key advantage of the new facility, he explained, is that all the treatment options are now available under one roof.

Tilney added: “Other specialised cancer services, such as the highly advanced Da Vinci Si robotic surgical system used in the treatment of localised prostate cancer as well as surgical interventions for a number of cancers have been available at our new hospital since its opening.”

Noeleen Phillipson, Netcare’s executive responsible for oncology, said: “We recognise that everyone will have their own way of coping, and our approach is to offer not only world class treatment but also caring support and professional guidance that are empathetic and mindful of each individual’s needs.”

The oncology centre’s radiation facility is home to the first Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator in the province. However, there are more than six Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators in the country.

Tilney said the technology ensured high-precision targeting of tumours and metastases, and could treat a wide range of cancers throughout the body by means of external beam radiotherapy and stereotactic irradiation.

“With the Elekta Versa HD, algorithms are used to calculate the optimum dose while limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue and surrounding structures, which is particularly important when treating lesions in the brain, for example.

“Advanced imaging and positioning capabilities result in shorter treatment times and advanced motion management means lesions can be targeted with sub-millimetre precision.”

He said the chemotherapy unit boasted eight treatment stations and a bed area.