The Department of Radiation Therapy at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Abu Dhabi, offers innovative and advanced radiation therapy services (using high-energy rays) to reduce or eliminate the side effects of cancer. SSMC offers cutting-edge technologies to provide patients with the best treatment, care and outcomes possible. In order to deliver radiotherapy to patients undergoing cancer treatment, radiation technologists must have specific training and qualifications as allied health professionals (AHP) and possess a Department of Health (DOH) license. Radiation technologists work with Medical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Radiation Technologists and Oncology Nurses to coordinate patient treatment pathways, provide technical expertise and ensure accurate radiation therapy application. Additionally, to ensure holistic recovery, SSMC provides patients with comprehensive post-operative care through a multidisciplinary team including a Dietitian, Speech and Language Therapist and Symptom Control Team. Our multidisciplinary team of international board-certified cancer specialists follow a patient-centred approach to deliver compassionate, trusted and advanced care.
Why Choose SSMC?
Employing a collaborative, multidisciplinary strategy for providing customised patient care, our surgical team works closely with Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Radiation Technologists and Oncology Nurses, to meticulously diagnose, manage, and execute advanced treatment, for a range of common, complex, benign and malignant conditions. SSMC prioritises optimal and precise treatment by the use of the latest radiation therapy technology. Keeping our patients at the centre of our care allows us to treat them efficiently.
Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators
These linear accelerators are designed to treat tumours with high precision, whilst also minimising the effect of radiation on critical structures in the body. Its six degrees of freedom ensure sub-millimetre accuracy for high-precision dosage control. Varian TrueBeam advanced imaging technology enables us to offer an extensive range of treatment techniques based on international clinical best practices.
Siemens Planning CT scanner
As the first centre in the UAE to use this state-of-the-art scanner, our Somatom Go Open Pro CT scanner comes with a unique DirectLaser system, allowing for a simpler and faster way to prepare patients for radiation therapy treatment.
DirectORGANS
This technology utilises specialised image reconstruction that optimises the CT images. It also features Direct i4D, a cutting-edge technology that tracks patient breathing and synchronises scanning with it. As a result of these functions, better image quality is achieved, which in turn allows our expert team to provide patients with optimal and precise treatment plans.
Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH)
A Deep Inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique can be used when treating tumours in the breast, chest wall, or lungs to reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues. This treatment aims to reduce radiation doses to the lungs and heart, resulting in patients experiencing fewer long-term side effects.
Stereotactic ablative radiation Therapy (SABR)
To reduce the dose to healthy tissues, SABR uses a higher radiation dose per session with tighter planning margins. This can be an alternative to surgery for some patients who are not healthy enough for surgery.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Using high doses of radiation in just one session, this procedure treats small brain lesions and functional abnormalities.
ExacTrac Dynamic
ExacTrac Dynamic unifies the power and precision of cutting-edge tracking technologies. ExacTrac enables the delivery of high-precision treatments for a wide range of patient positioning and monitoring workflows including intracranial, para-spinal and prostate. This all-in-one system’s revolutionary new thermal-surface camera technology works in tandem with real-time X-Ray tracking for extraordinary accuracy.
Total body irradiation (TBI)
Total body irradiation (TBI) is a medical procedure that involves exposing the entire body to ionising radiation. Often, it is used in preparation for bone marrow transplantation or stem cell transplantation, which is an option for treating certain types of cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, and for certain non-cancerous diseases, such as severe autoimmune disorders.
Our Team
A radiation technologist is an allied health professional (AHP) who has undergone specific training and qualifications to be able to deliver radiotherapy for patients undergoing treatment for cancer. It is compulsory for radiation therapists to have a Department of Health (DOH) license. Our team are highly experienced with a variety of skills ensuring a patient-centred approach along with the delivery of the highest-quality care throughout your journey. Our supportive friendly approachable team that will be involved in your treatment throughout. The role of the radiation technologist involves managing the treatment pathway, providing the technical expertise and support while delivering accurate radiation therapy treatment. The duties vary from performing a planning CT scan and being involved in treatment planning to the delivery of radiotherapy. They will be able to talk you through your treatment and what to expect. Our team are able to answer any questions and if you need further advice, the team will be happy to refer you to the right specialist.
What to expect - First appointment
- Our friendly staff will check you in for your appointment.
- Our staff will lead you to the waiting room.
- While you wait, the nurses prepare for your pre-assessment.
- You will be taken to a room where vital signs will be taken and recorded.
- Here the doctor will arrive and be able to answer any questions you may have.
- After your conversation with the doctor, you will be offered some leaflets with educational advice on your
treatment and what to expect throughout.
- Once you are well-informed, you may return to the main reception to receive your next following appointment.
What to expect – CT
- Our friendly reception staff will check you in for your appointment.
- They will guide you on where to wait while the nurses prepare for your pre-assessment.
- You will be taken to a room where vital signs will be taken and recorded.
- Once the CT room is ready for you, you will be brought in and the consultant will be there to greet you and
talk you through your previous discussion about the treatment.
- Once you are happy with the plan you will be asked to sign a consent form and the radiation therapist will
guide you on the next steps to prepare you for the scan.
- A radiotherapy planning CT scan is slightly different from a regular diagnostic CT scan as it allows
radiographers to obtain 3D images of the area being treated in order to create individualised radiotherapy
plans.
- You will be guided through the process by our friendly staff.
- Depending on the treatment and area will be a CT scan that is personalised to your needs. We may have to
give you some small permanent markers to help to reproduce your setup on a daily basis.
- Once you have completed your CT scan, staff will give you some advice and educational leaflets before you
leave.
- Once you are happy with all the information, you may return to the main reception to receive your next
following appointment.
What to expect – First treatment
- Our friendly reception staff who will be able to check you in for your appointment will greet you.
- They will be able to guide you on where to wait while the nurses prepare for your pre-assessment.
- You will be taken to a room and vital signs will be taken and recorded.
- You will be given a gown to get changed just before you are taken into the room for your first
treatment.
- Our team will explain everything as the treatment goes on.
- Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body. You will hear clicking or buzzing
throughout the treatment but this is normal and is nothing to be concerned about.
- During external radiotherapy, you lie on a table and a machine directs beams of radiation at the
cancer.
- The machine is operated from outside the room, but you will be watched through a camera.
- There will be an intercom if you need to speak to the person treating you.
- You need to keep as still as possible throughout the treatment. It usually only takes a few minutes
and is completely painless. You can usually go home soon after it has finished.
- Rest assured that once you have had your first treatment you will have the same process regularly
(no hidden surprises)
What happens next
- There will be weekly reviews with a consultant booked in with a pre-assessment to see how you are doing and to
offer any support or advice.
