RapidArc radiotherapy treatments are now available in Africa. Clinicians from across the continent attended a week-long workshop, sponsored by Varian Medical Systems, to learn about the RapidArc intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technology.
Stakeholders from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya and Angola gathered at Addington Hospital in Durban, which has treated 250 patients with RapidArc since becoming the first public hospital in Africa to use the technology in 2010.
“Our experience has demonstrated the major benefits of RapidArc compared to conventional radiation therapy in terms of patient satisfaction, treatment delivery and outcomes,” said Amo Jordaan, head of radiation oncology at Addington Hospital.
RapidArc delivers precise image-guided IMRT up to four times faster than conventional IMRT, with a beam that delivers the dose while rotating around the patient.
“The oncology load and cancer disease burden here in KwaZulu Natal province is a microcosm of the disease burden and oncolody incidence across Southern Africa,” added Jordaan. “By using RapidArc, our department is able to treat more patients in the specified time, while the treatment is more focused and therefore minimizes the impact on healthy tissue.”
The workshop included lectures and practical RapidArc sessions, as well as attendance at select patient treatments.
"It was fascinating seeing and hearing about the newest technology working in practice," said Alicia Sherriff, MD, of Universitas Annex Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. "The latest developments in radiotherapy have made me enthusiastic about being a radiation oncologist in these times and optimistic about the possibilities for the future."
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