The latest generation radiation therapy machine will be used at the Vitebsk Oncology Center
A state-of-the-art linear particle accelerator has been put into service for oncologists in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BelTA by the chief physician of the regional clinical oncology dispensary, Candidate of Medical Sciences Anzhelika Tomchina.
Vitebsk medics will be the first in the republic to master treatment methods that allow irradiating affected areas of the body at the cellular level. The impact on surrounding tissues is minimized in this process, emphasized Anzhelika Tomchina.
"This is the most modern apparatus for radiation therapy. There are none like it yet in Belarus, and only a few in Russia (currently in the installation phase). We plan to put our linear accelerator into operation in May. Calibration work is currently underway. One of our engineers underwent training in Europe, where he learned to operate such complexes," the chief physician said.
The radiation therapy apparatus, costing 5 million euros, was acquired for the Vitebsk Oncology Dispensary using funds from the republican budget within the framework of the state scientific and technical program "New Technologies for Diagnostics and Treatment. Development and Implementation of New and Improvement of Existing Methods for Diagnostics, Treatment, and Prevention of Cardiovascular, Therapeutic, Surgical, and Oncological Diseases, Creation of New Import-Substituting Medical Devices (Implants, Diagnostic Kits, Instruments)". The program includes four subprograms - "Heart and Vessels", "Surgery", "Oncology", "Transplantology and Regenerative Medicine", and its implementation period is 2011-2015.
In total, under the state program, nine units of medical equipment have been delivered to the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Dispensary, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanners, an X-ray stimulator, a clinical dosimeter, an electrocardiograph, endoscopic equipment, etc. The total amount of funds allocated from the republican and regional budgets for equipping the medical institution with new technology is almost Br125 billion.
Simultaneously with re-equipment, the reconstruction of the second surgical building is underway at the Vitebsk Regional Oncology Center. It is planned to complete all work by the end of this year. "Thanks to modernization, we will be able to provide assistance to patients at the highest level," is confident Anzhelika Tomchina.
In the Vitebsk region, over the past 10 years, the incidence of oncological diseases has increased by more than 20%. In the structure of cancer incidence, skin cancer is in first place (14.8%), lung cancer is in second place (10.3%), breast cancer is in third place (9.5%), and stomach and prostate cancer are in fourth place (about 7%). Mortality from oncological diseases in the region is gradually decreasing (by 1.5% in 2012). Five-year survival over 10 years has increased from 45% to 56.8%. The detection of patients in the early stages has also increased (63% in stages I and II, which are best treated).
The "Vitebsk Regional Clinical Oncology Center" consists of 10 clinical departments and an outpatient clinic for 300 visits per shift. A day hospital operates, where chemotherapy and rehabilitation courses are conducted on an outpatient basis.