The Department of Radiation Oncology provides expertise radiation therapy services to cancer patients in NHG Health through multidisciplinary end-to-end cancer programmes from prevention investigations, treatment, recovery, long-term survivorship and palliative care.
Radiation Therapy is the use of precisely calculated doses of high-energy X-rays to treat part(s) of the body where there is a disease and is generally pain-free. One course of radiation treatment can involve a single or multiple sessions depending on the Radiation Oncologist’s instruction. Treatment will include initial and follow-up consultations, to ensure that our patients receive the best care.
The Department manages The National University Cancer Institute, Singapore at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (NCIS@TTSH) Radiotherapy Centre, which hosts 2 state-of-art Linear Accelerators and a CT simulation machine, provides onsite 24hr Radiation Oncology services for both outpatients and inpatients across a wide spectrum of cancers including breast, lung, prostate, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and head and neck tumours.
NCIS@TTSH also places particular emphasis on geriatric oncology, focusing on the comprehensive care of older adults diagnosed with cancer. This specialised area addresses the complex needs of elderly patients, including frailty, multiple comorbidities, and functional limitations that may affect their ability to tolerate cancer treatments. Through specialised geriatric assessments that evaluate a patient's overall health beyond their cancer diagnosis, our multidisciplinary team develops individualised treatment plans designed to improve outcomes and quality of life in this growing population.
With our team of professional staff, NCIS@TTSH delivers quality comprehensive cancer care in a holistic environment catered to the needs of patients and their caregivers.
At the core of this team, we have our Radiation Oncologists who are doctors specializing in using radiation to treat cancer/ diseases. Additionally, they participate in multidisciplinary tumour boards, in close collaboration with the hospital's cancer specialists, e.g. surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, palliative care team. This enables a team of specialists to review and analyse each patient's case to decide on the most appropriate oncologic treatment and care.
Supporting them are the Radiation Therapists who guides the patient during treatment by positioning the patient and operating the equipment that delivers the radiation. They are also involved in designing individualized treatment plans for the patient. Our Medical Physicists are responsible for quality assurance, ensuring that the equipment functions accurately and delivers the prescribed doses of radiation to the patient. Meanwhile, the Nurses coordinate cancer care and counsel patients and their families on how to manage side effects. They also address concerns about radiation therapy.
NCIS@TTSH Radiotherapy Centre boasts advanced treatment techniques such as the Intensity Modulated Radiation Treatment (IMRT), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Computed Tomography 3-dimensional simulation of treatment (3D-CRT) with our multi-leaf linear accelerators.
IMRT represents an evolution of radiation technology that offers more precise treatment with lesser side effects. The technique allows precise delivery of radiotherapy beam to the tumour while sparing adjacent tissues.
SBRT delivers highly precise, high-dose radiation to selected tumour sites in fewer treatment sessions. This technique is particularly effective for small, well-defined tumours in locations such as the lung, liver, spine, prostate, and for oligometastatic disease.
IGRT uses medical imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, or 3D imaging to precisely locate and track tumours during treatment. This technique allows for more accurate radiation delivery and reduced damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
VMAT delivers radiation in a single or multi-arc rotation around the patient, adjusting the beam’s shape, angle, and intensity during the rotation. This technique targets tumours with high precision shortens treatment time and minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Our range of cancer treatments include (not limited to):
- 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
Our range of cancer diagnoses include:
- Breast Cancer
- Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer e.g. Esophagus, stomach
- Lower Gastrointestinal Cancer e.g. Rectal
- Hepatobiliary Cancer
- Skin Cancer
- Soft tissue Cancers e.g. Sarcoma
- Hematological Cancer e.g. Lymphoma
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
Other range of services include:
- Sub specialized outpatient and inpatient consultation for all solid cancers
- Multi-disciplinary Tumour Boards
- Patient Education and Counselling
- Dietician Support
- Geriatric Oncology
- Palliative Care
The Radiotherapy Centre is supported by various other clinical-support services within and outside the hospital. These include laboratory, diagnostic radiology, rehabilitation, dietetics, medical social work, hospice-care and cancer-transport services.
The medical, allied-health and nursing staff work together to provide an integrated cancer-care for the patient undergoing radiotherapy, including nursing care, support, education and follow-up.
Financial counselling and treatment education are provided to all patients who are referred for radiation therapy. Patients will be referred to medical social work for assistance if they have any financial constraint.
Patients who require other specialist-attention or in-patient admission would be coordinated by the Radiation Oncologists, with other medical and patient-support disciplines. On completion of radiotherapy, patients will be given a follow-up schedule at the specialist-outpatient clinic to monitor their progress.
