Thousands of cancer radiation therapy patients inconvenienced due to CT simulation failure

More than 1,000 cancer patients awaiting radiation therapy are facing a severe crisis due to the CT Simulation service, which is essential for planning radiation treatment at a major cancer hospital, being out of operation since April 28. The disruption of this essential service has created a risk of serious delays that could threaten patients' lives, as treatment plans cannot be prepared.

The CT simulation process is essential for patients undergoing treatment with Linear Accelerator machines. Before commencing radiation therapy, a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner is used to map the precise area where the cancer is located. This enables doctors to plan the exact region where radiation should be targeted, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

However, due to the inactivation of this service, authorities have been forced to rely on PET (PET Scans) for treatment planning. Medical sources indicate that this is not considered the most suitable alternative method for CT simulation and could further complicate the process of delivering timely radiation therapy.

Patients who turn to private hospitals due to insufficient government facilities face exorbitant costs ranging from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1.7 million (Rs. 1,700,000), depending on the nature of the required services. Consequently, opting for private alternatives is unaffordable for many helpless families.

The 'Daily Mirror' newspaper had previously reported on the severe challenges faced by cancer patients due to disruptions in radiation therapy caused by faulty machinery. It is reported that two out of the five currently operational Linear Accelerator machines are out of order, and problems with these machines have significantly increased the waiting lists for radiation therapy. As a result, the capacity to provide timely treatment to patients has severely declined.