Alfred Health News

Alfred Health Radiation Oncology has been at the forefront of cancer care for more than a decade - an effort that has given hundreds of patients a longer or better quality of life.

Today, the talented radiation therapy team at The Alfred treats more than twice as many patients each year than just 15 years ago, supported by advances in imaging technology, which have changed practice completely.

Radiation Oncology Director, Associate Professor Jeremy Millar said significant advances in the way tumours are visualised and monitored using CT, MRI and PET scans have opened up new ways to treat cancers.

"When I started here in the 90s, I never dreamt we would one day be able to immediately see exactly what we were treating, and also have the tools to deliver exact doses of radiation to very small areas in the body," A/Prof Millar said.

The introduction of stereotactic treatments have made care safer and more effective.

"Technology allows us to be more precise with treatment and hit the cancer harder," A/Prof Millar explained.

"We can now treat lung cancers with higher doses of radiation, while avoiding unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues and organs, and we can target liver and kidney tumours that surgery can't reach.

"Advances in this field are continuing, with future advanced imaging technologies promising to allow monitoring of molecular changes in the tumour and surrounding normal tissues during radiotherapy treatment."

From the city to the bush

Since 2006, Alfred Health Radiation Oncology has also been providing a service for Latrobe Regional Hospital in Traralgon. This has allowed country Victorians to access treatment closer to home.