Versa HD: Precision technology in the fight against cancer in Colombia

High-precision radiotherapy has become one of the world's leading cancer treatment options. Columbia currently has linear accelerators with advanced biomedical technology for external radiotherapy, such as the Electa Versa HD, state-of-the-art equipment used in specialized centers to offer patients the opportunity to treat patients with modern radiotherapy techniques. Safe way and with less treatment sessions.

Providing high-quality oncology support is one of the biggest challenges for cancer treatment centers in the country, making technological advances a strategic partner in fighting the disease.

In Bogotá, the Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center (CTIC) is an institution specializing in cancer, which from the beginning of its operation has been concerned with having the most advanced technology for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The positive impact of radiotherapy with Electa's Versa HD Linear Accelerator, CTIC's Division of Functional Radiotherapy and former Chair of Columbia Oncological Radiotherapy, Dr. We spoke to Ivan Bobatilla.

How do you see the national panorama of cancer diagnosis?

Oncology tends to increase its incidence rate in the country. Currently, we have more tools and methods to make an early and accurate diagnosis, which allows us to increase cure rates. Years ago, we talked about cancer as a deadly disease; However, the medical, technological and scientific advances we have today have allowed us to change this view.

What is high-precision radiotherapy?

There are three basic pillars of cancer treatment: systematic management with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and oncologic surgery. First, tumor cells present in a specific area are removed. Today, technology and medical advances allow more precise targeting of tumors without harming nearby healthy organs, delivering higher doses of radiation, and more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

At CTIC Foundation, we use advanced techniques such as Volumetric Modulation Arc Therapy (VMAT), which involves administering extremely high doses of radiation to tumor lesions by continuously rotating the instruments in an arc, making the patient more comfortable. More adaptability and customization to each patient's anatomy. In addition, these types of techniques allow for the delivery of high doses of radiation in a very short period of time, between 5 and 8 minutes, which is usually the duration of each session.

Another of the high-precision techniques we use is intra- and extracranial radiosurgery, which provides the patient with high doses of radiation, maximum precision and reduction of treatment time, for example, from 30 sessions to five. , three times or even once, reduces patient visits to the radiotherapy department.

In terms of technology, what is a linear accelerator?

It is a basic tool for external beam radiation therapy. It is a high-tech biomedical device that uses a highly specialized electronic system that generates radiation to be delivered at a specific level.

The Electa Versa HD linear accelerator has allowed advanced techniques such as VMAT and radiosurgery as well as traditional techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The advantage of this equipment is its great versatility. For example, at CTIC, in addition to the techniques mentioned above, we also offer superficial tumor treatments with electrons. Another advantage of this equipment is its adaptability to other solutions and accessories, which increases accuracy and, ultimately, the quality of treatment.

CTIC is the only institution in the country to have a Clarity™ system integrated with the Electa Versa HD instrument, allowing the performance of radiosurgery treatment for prostate cancer, integrating the visualization of ultrasound images. Administration of each treatment session. In this way, accuracy in dose delivery and thus cure rates are exponentially increased, which minimizes the side effects derived from treatment.

What are the benefits of radiotherapy given by CTIC to patients?

First of all, we have a highly trained and qualified human team in making treatment decisions, planning and executing radiotherapy, using high technology to achieve optimal levels of safety, comfort and precision in everything. Likewise, we strive to achieve the best treatment and survival rates with the least side effects in the medium and long term, always with humane, respectful and loving attention to our patients and their families.

More than 18 months have passed since the first radiotherapy was performed at CTIC, and from that moment until today, more than 1,400 patients have been treated in our department, 40% of whom have been treated with Electa Versa HD. Results.

Cervical cancer: Interstitial brachytherapy, an effective treatment

In Colombia, according to statistics estimated by the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer.

Treatment options for patients with this pathology include interstitial brachytherapy, which uses high doses of radiation and the possibility of placing water in the interstitium using applicators used at short distances to the tumor, allowing access to traditional areas. Applicants do not achieve, delivering high doses of radiation and reducing toxicity of adjacent organs such as bladder, rectum, anus.

Interstitial brachytherapy is supported by diagnostic imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasound, etc., which guarantee high precision and extreme precision in the organ or tissue to be treated.