10,000 cancer patients treated successfully

In a remarkable achievement towards cancer treatment, Yashoda Cancer Institute, Hyderabad has emerged as the first organisation in the world to treat 10,000 cancer patients with ‘Rapid Arc Technology’.

The surgeries include successful treatments for 3,645 head and neck cancers patients, 2,329 brain cancer patients, 1,722 uterine cancer patients, 1,114 breast cancer patients, 506 lung cancer patients, 456 abdomen cancer patients and 354 other cancer patients. Executive Vice President, Yashoda Hospitals, Dr R Chandrasekar said, “Out of these patients Yashoda was the first hospital to make this technology available to 4,213 financially challenged patients with support from government of Telangana.”

The institute organised a celebratory event for the feat, on Friday, in Malakpet. Tollywood actor, Rana Daggubati, who participated as the chief guest, handed over a cheque of Rs 2,00,000 to a three-year old, who was treated for greade-IV Medulloblastoma; the 10,000th patient to be treated successfully.

Appreciating the efforts of the institute, Rana said, “Cancer is a dreaded disease, especially childhood cancers. However with the teamwork of expertise doctors, advanced technology and personalised hospital care, chances of complete cure are increasing. Yashoda has always been at the forefront of pioneering such advanced health care facilities to our patients.”

Commenting on the nature of Rapid Arc Radiotherapy, Managing Director, Ysshoda group of hospitals, Dr G S Rao said, “Rapid Arc radiotherapy was first launched at Yashoda Cancer Institute in 2008. This technology has revolutionised cancer treatment across India and Asia. Yashoda cancer institute pioneered this advanced technology right from its first clinical use.

It has also contributed to the international medical literature in terms of several publications and presentation in high impact journals and international conferences. Furthermore the institute has also trained more than 200 oncologists and physicists from India and abroad using this modern state of art technology.”

Continuing its efforts towards battling cancer, Yashoda is now in plans to establish a ‘Proton Therapy’ treatment facility, which is estimated to cost up to Rs 200 crore. Dr Rao added, “With ‘Proton Therapy’ higher doses can be delivered to the tumour without increasing the risk of side effects and long term complications, thereby improving patient outcomes and quality of life.”

Dr Luca Cozzi, Scientific Advisor, Varian Medical systems, Markus Feldman, Director, Varian Medical systems from Switzerland, Ashok Senior Managing Director Varian Medical systems form Mumbai complimented Yashoda hospitals for the achievement and presented an award to the institute.