According to the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre's clinical director for oncology, advanced radiotherapy technology has improved some patients' chances of beating their illness.
SABR, or stereotactic radiotherapy, is used in the clinic.
Compared to conventional radiotherapy, according to Prof. Gerry Hanna, this more precisely targets the tumor.
According to him, this enables the delivery of high doses to the cancer while sparing nearby healthy tissue.
"Because the dose we use is much higher and safer than what was previously used, this allows us to increase the likelihood that we will be able to cure that cancer. ".
Statistics show that using SABR has increased the control rate of early-stage lung cancer from 50% using conventional radiotherapy to 85%.
Patients with localized and secondary tumors can receive non-invasive SABR treatment, particularly those with lung cancer who are unable to have surgery.
Jennings Moffett, 79, a patient at the cancer center, claimed that the medication has "kept him alive.". .
He received a prostate cancer diagnosis in March, but it has since spread to his right lung. .
He claimed that although his cancer center visits have given him comfort, his diagnosis had scared him. .
Mr. Moffett is unable to undergo surgery due to heart issues, so this less invasive procedure is treating the cancer in his body.
He stated that it felt good to be "removing the cancer on the lung" before a session.
When 20 patients were treated at the cancer center in June 2013, the SABR equipment had just arrived.
It is anticipated that by December 2023, nearly 400 people will have received treatment through SABR, up from 250 in 2022.
A patient's treatment plan is created by a team that includes radiologists, medical physicists, doctors, nurses, and support staff.
Instead of using a one-size-fits-all strategy, each plan is individualized and specifically targets the patient's tumor.
The key is a CT scan in four dimensions. .
The cancer is clearly visible on the right lung in Mr. Moffett's case as it depicts his lungs expanding and contracting as he breathes.
In order to ensure that the radiation treatment is precise, his breathing pattern is recorded. .
The cancer will be targeted by radiation beams in the orange outline, according to Prof. Hanna, while the blue outline offers a slim margin of error.
Prior to SABR therapy, the margin of error would have been significantly greater and could have even damaged healthy tissue, including the oesophagus or the food pipe.
In the radiotherapy bunker, where the procedure is being carried out, the team keeps an eye on Mr. Moffett's whereabouts from a safe distance.
In comparison to conventional radiotherapy, the SABR machine produces more radiation.
On Mr. Moffett's body, markers are used to align the lasers. Safety of patients and employees comes first, and laser precision is crucial.
A patient's mental and physical well-being are also monitored by the team. .
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is "horrendous," according to Mr. Moffett.
He claimed that if it had occurred five or ten years earlier, "he would have been dead.".
"Your mind goes into overtime, you are asking how long I have left," he said. "Then I met Gerry, and he gave me advice about the treatment.".
"I get a lift when I leave here, and the first thing I do is go home and get a quick lunch.". My three sons and the rest of the family are overjoyed. " .
The month of October, when he will turn 80, is something Mr. Moffett is looking forward to.
