Altnagelvin Hospital has been a well-established site for delivering systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) for over a decade. However, with the recent establishment of a brand new state-of-the-art Cancer Centre on-site, the Trust is now in a privileged position to enable a catchment area consisting of approximately 500,000 residents to avail of both Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Services closer to home.
The North West Cancer Centre has been delivering radiotherapy treatments since 2016.
Radiotherapy Services
Radiotherapy is the use of exact, carefully measured doses of high energy x-rays and other types of radiation, to treat cancer. The radiation does not stay in your body and it is perfectly safe for you to mix with children and adults.
Radiotherapy treatment is painless and should take between 10 and 20 minutes. It is similar to having an x-ray taken.
Radiotherapy can cure some cancers and can also reduce the chance of a cancer coming back after surgery. It may also be used to control a cancer or to help improve the symptoms of it.
Radiation treatment is delivered via three linear accelerators with the aid of advanced planning software.
Radiology support exists with a diagnostic CT and MRI Scanner in the Centre. Radiotherapy treatment planning can be assisted with MRI imaging in treatment position.
The Radiotherapy Suite provides treatment five days a week, Monday to Friday.
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