Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. Physicians have been treating patients with radiation therapy safely and effectively for more than 100 years. Estimates are that nearly two-thirds of patients with cancer are treated with radiation during their illness and also to prevent relapse. External beam radiation therapy uses a high-energy x-ray machine — called a linear accelerator (linac) — to direct radiation to the tumor. It is a cancer treatment modality that uses doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells.
The medical oncology department deals with the treatment of cancer using drugs (chemotherapy). It is called a “systemic treatment” because the drug, entering through the blood stream, travels throughout the body and kills cancer cells at their sites. The drugs in most cases destroy cancer cells wherever they may exist in the body. Chemotherapy may be the only treatment, or it may be supplemented with other treatments, such as surgery and/or radiation therapy. It is an important modality in treating various cancers and has a curative role in lymphomas.
The mission and objective of the surgical oncology department of MIO is to provide the latest treatment in a compassionate environment. Our surgeons are highly trained and motivated and perform the removal of complex tumors along with cosmetically accepted reconstruction procedures with the able support of equally supportive anesthetists, recovery and ICU staff. They also work with medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, nutritionists and other team members to ensure the best result for each patient.
At MIO, Onco Dentistry deals with the comprehensive oral health care plan for patients undergoing cancer treatment and managing treatment induced side effects and its complications. Oral prophylaxis and other oral rehabilitation protocols are delivered to all our patients. Additionally our staff are experienced in dealing with and mitigating radiation and chemotherapy induced side effects on the oral mucosa. Our faculty perform cancer screening programs along with oral biopsy, brush cytology and toluidine blue staining to detect oral cancer.