Radio-oncology

The Radio-Oncology Department is a central service of the Centro Médico Teknon that is integrated in the Instituto Oncológico Teknon. Our medical team consists of a large group of experts (Neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, radio-oncologists and radiologists) specializing in diseases of the central nervous system. Each professional, assisted by a team of technicians and nurses, works with the most advanced technology to ensure optimization of the treatment of brain tumours and vascular malformations. We also have the services of physicists and technicians who are highly qualified in the use of state of the art technology in order to improve the cure rate, whilst minimizing the side effects typical of conventional radiotherapy.

Our main objective in the Radio-Oncology Department of the Centro Médico Teknon is to select the most appropriate treatment for your disease, maintaining your quality of life during treatment and allowing you to undertake the activities of daily life as soon as possible.

The service offers the best treatment for your diagnosis with non-surgical treatment options.

• Radiosurgery

Radiosurgery is the application of a single dose of high energy radiation to the tumour or arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Although the term implies surgery, there is no incision at all, and the treatment is made on an outpatient basis, eliminating the complications, hospitalization and recovery time associated with conventional cranial surgery. It uses beams of radiation to eliminate, reduce or stop the growth of a tumour eliminating its cells or interfering with its growth.

Radiosurgery can irradiate a brain tumour or an AVM more accurately than conventional radiotherapy. This treatment can be focused by using a minimally invasive stereotactic frame which keeps the patient perfectly positioned. A localizer cube is placed over this stereotactic frame and shows the reference points for planning and treatment. This process minimizes the radiation of healthy brain tissue, and protects the neighbouring organs.

• Radiotherapy

Stereotactic radiotherapy allows the administration of the same amount of radiation (or higher) than conventional radiosurgery, but is applied in small doses spread over a number of treatments per day (split dose). The splitting of the dose favours the repair of healthy tissue near the lesion, especially of critical structures such as the optic pathways or brain stem.

Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery ™ is the most advanced stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy available today. The procedure is painless and helps to avoid long periods of hospitalization or rehabilitation, and the patient remains awake throughout the treatment. Treatment can be received in the morning with a return to a normal routine in the afternoon.

Depending on your particular case, Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery ™ may be the best option for the following conditions:

• Arteriovenous malformations
• Brain Metastasis / Gliomas
• Acoustic neuromas
• Cavernous angiomas
• Paediatric brain tumours
• Recurrent brain tumours
• Pituitary adenomas
• Skull-base Meningiomas
• Craniopharyngiomas