WORLD'S FIRST EVER TBI THERAPY THE HALCYON LINAC AT DHARAMSHILA

TBI is an advanced radiation technique utilized to prepare donors’ body for BMT procedure.

Another milestone has been added to the great accomplishments and achievements of Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. Recently Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital implemented world’s first ever Total body irradiation (TBI) on the HALCYON Linac in its premises. TBI is basically a technically complex technique of radiation therapy. It is performed in patients requiring bone marrow transplant as a conditioning regimen (to prepare the recipient for the transplant). Months of efforts of the medical physics and clinical team gave the way to this moment of pride to Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital has already been acknowledged for its commendable work in the BMT field, now this successful procedure has added another feather to its cap.

Dr Kanika Sood Sharma, Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital said, “TBI is one of the complex radiation treatment which covers entire body in the process, it prepares body cells of a patient for BMT procedure. Many trials took place in the past 6months to create a desirable plan which is acceptable by international standards but that required uniformity and conformality was not being achieved due to technical limitations of this new machine. Many medical physicists including those from the Varian Medical systems rigorously put in their efforts and finally at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital the procedure went successful in an aplastic anemia case on 3rd of January 2022. It gives us immense pleasure to bring such and advanced technology to help more patients fighting against life-threatening conditions.”

“TBI has been previously done in DNSH since 2015 on the ELEKTA synergy LINAC but Going by its advantages, performing TBI on HALCYON helps in easy monitoring and it is comparatively faster. To get to this place so many hurdles came in our way and technical glitches also created bigger hindrances, but after consistent efforts and dedication Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital pioneered the first TBI on the HALCYON Linac in the world.” Added Dr Kanika Sood.

Basically Total-body irradiation (TBI) is done It is utilised in multiple medical conditions like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), low-grade non-hodgkin's lymphoma (L-NHL), acute lymphocytic leukemia , acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (Cml),sickle cell disease, MDS etc depending on the evaluation of the cases by concerned doctors.

Being a complex procedure, TBI requires a cooperative environment and experienced supervision in its execution. Majority of patients receiving TBI are of the paediatric age group. The state of the art techniques like Volumetric arc therapy help to achieve precise Dosemetric distribution to the complex large areas. The successful (TBI) on the HALCYON Linac at Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital is like inspiration for other medical institutions as well, it fills them the same level of confidence to use it and help patients. About Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital :For over two decades, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (Earlier known as Dharamshila Hospital And Research Centre till 31.03.2017) at Vasundhara Enclave in Delhi-ncr region was at the forefront of cancer treatment. On 1st April 2017, the unit began its partnership with Narayana Health, one of India's largest network of hospitals and heart centres and started operations as Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.