Radiotherapy 

Services Provided

The Radiotherapy Department, at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, has two state- of-the-art identically matched Linear Accelerators that are used to deliver modern modalities of radiation treatment.  These units coupled with on-line imaging, enables accurate treatment of the area throughout the course of treatment.  The department offers a full range of radiotherapy treatment to all sites including Radical, Palliative, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), superficial treatments and High Dose Rate Brachytherapy.

Initial Consultation

The patient will see the Radiation Oncologist prior to starting radiotherapy.  The Radiation Oncologist reviews the patient’s records and diagnostic information, examines the patient and explains what radiotherapy is and why it is recommended for them.  The patient signs consent form and is booked in for a course of treatment starting with a planning CT scan. 

CT Scanning and Simulation

CT scanning often-called ‘marking’ is done by the Radiation Therapists to decide on the exact location for treatment. An immobilisation device may be used at this stage and the Radiation Therapist may put small permanent ink marks on the treatment area to allow for accurate treatment set-up. This differs form a diagnostic CT scan in that the patient is scanned in the "optimum treatment position", as this position will need to be reproduced on a daily basis for many weeks. The patient is sent home and the Therapist in consultation with the Radiation Oncologist decides on the treatment parameters to be used. This is known as Virtual Simulation whereby the outlining of machine parameters, the treatment sites and the organs at risk (oar) are simulated on to the CT scan.  These images are then sent to Treatment Planning

Treatment Planning

Treatment planning involves superimposing information from the treatment machines (linear accelerators) on to the outline of the patient acquired in the previous CT scanning process using a planning computer. This procedure involves optimising or concentrating the radiation dose in the tumor site and minimising it in the surrounding tissue and organs at risk. A treatment plan is created by the Dosimetris in consultation with the Radiation Oncologist and Physics staff. This is a 3 dimensional representation of the radiation dose within the patient and allows the Radiation Oncologist to make an informed decision on the suitability of the dose prescribed. The plan is then signed and made ready for processing. To comply with best practice and quality assurance an independent check of the plan and prescription is carried out by another senior member of the physics department before being electronically transferred to the treatment machine.

Prior to commencing the treatment the whole plan including the electronic prescription transfer is rechecked by the Radiation Therapists.

Radiation Treatment and Care

Treatment is delivered by a dedicated team of Radiation Therapists who ensure the safe and accurate delivery of treatment and maintain an accurate record of treatment.  The on-board imaging device along with dose reading meters (diodes) verify the accuracy of the position of the patient and the dose being delivered to the patient. 

On the first day a Radiation Therapist will provide clear and accurate treatment information, advice and support to the patient.  Throughout the course of treatment the therapists and the Consultants will monitor the patient. 

Consultants Clinics - See Consultants Page

Special Interests in addition to standard radiotherapy and IMRT

Professor John Armstrong’s special interests includes breast cancer and prostate cancer
Dr. Osama Salib’s special interests include brachytherapy  
Dr. Gerard McVey special interests include brachytherapy

Registrar (Full Time): Dr. Aktham Sharif  


Meetings

Contact Information for Radiation Oncology Department,

Phone:  01 2609310
Fax:      01 2609524
Email:   radiotherapy@svph.ie

Postal address:

Radiotherapy Department,
St. Vincent’s Private Hospital ,
Herbert Avenue ,
Merrion,
Dublin 4.

Opening Hours

The Radiotherapy Department is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Mon – Fri.

Appointment Procedures

Your Radiation Oncologist will have an initial consultation with you and they will refer you to the Radiotherapy Department.  The Radiation Therapists will contact you within a few days and arrange your appointments with you. 

Charges

Charges vary and are dependant on the treatment prescription.  Many health insurance providers cover all treatments.  Please contact our reception for further information. 

Patient Information

Information sessions for Radiotherapy Patients

These sessions are organised on a monthly basis for any patient due to start radiotherapy or are currently having radiotherapy.  Family and friends are also very welcome to attend.  The Therapists provide a tour of the department and outline to the patients and /or family and friends what happens at each stage of the process from initial consultation to follow up.  It gives people an opportunity to discuss any issues they may have before attending for planning or treatment. 

Demonstrations are given of the movement of the machines and what will happen to accurately align the patient for treatment.

If you wish to attend any session please do not hesitate to contact the Radiotherapy Department on 01 2609310 and leave your name and number of people attending with you with the Receptionist.   

Website Links

The Irish Cancer Society.

Breast Cancer Information

Prostate Cancer Information

Research

O'Daly BJ, O'Brien MF, Dowling CM, Crotty TB, Watson AJ, Moriarty MJ, Mulvin DW:

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis after curative retroperitoneal

radiotherapy for seminoma. Urology 70(4):812, 2007.

Escalated dose for non-small-cell lung cancer with accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
P. Thirion, O. Holmberg, C. D. Collins, C. O'Shea, M. Moriarty, M. Pomeroy, C. O'Sullivan, S. Buckney and J. Armstrong
Radiother Oncol  Vol:71  Issue:2  Pages:163-6  2004  May  Accession No. 15110449

Analysis of dose distribution in the 'Rind'--a volume outside the PTV--in 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy of non-small cell lung cancer
C. McGibney, O. Holmberg, B. McClean and J. Armstrong
Radiother Oncol  Vol:66  Issue:1  Pages:87-93  2003  Jan  Accession No. 12559525

Advances in radiation technology can improve survival and quality of life for cancer patients
J. Armstrong
Ir J Med Sci  Vol:170  Issue:1  Pages:63-8  2001  Jan  Accession No. 11440417

Dose escalation of chart in non-small cell lung cancer: is three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy really necessary?
C. McGibney, O. Holmberg, B. McClean, C. Williams, P. McCrea, P. Sutton and J. Armstrong
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys  Vol:45  Issue:2  Pages:339-50  1999  Sep  Accession No. 10487554

The current status of adjuvant hormonal therapy combined with radiation therapy for localised prostate cancer
J. Armstrong
Ir J Med Sci  Vol:167  Issue:3  Pages:138-44  1998  Jul  Accession No. 9780560

Prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
J. Armstrong, M. Pomeroy, J. J. Fennelly and S. Cahalane
Ir J Med Sci  Vol:159  Issue:2  Pages:40-3  1990  Feb  Accession No. 2347677

Registered in Dublin, Ireland, Reg. No. 338585, Registered Office: Elm Park, Dublin 4