Medipol University Hospital: Oncology department

The Medipol Clinic Oncology Center is designed for the simultaneous inpatient treatment of 35 patients. An experienced team of specialists: medical oncologists, chemotherapists, ward nurses, biologists and pharmacists participate in the therapy of oncology patients.

Multidisciplinary approach

To ensure a holistic approach, medical oncologists work with the departments of radiology, gynecology, pulmonology, urology, and bring in other subspecialists.

Each week, the therapy plan is discussed at a meeting of specialists. This helps to correct the treatment in time and prevent complications. Drawing up a treatment plan by several specialists excludes the possibility of mistakes by the doctor.

Today methods of treatment

Treatment of oncology patients is carried out in accordance with American and European protocols. Doctors have all the necessary methods for effective cancer treatment:

• Chemotherapy;
• Target therapy;
• Treatment with monoclonal antibodies;
• Immunotherapy;
• Target therapy;
• Radiation therapy.

The Department of Medical Oncology at Medipol is participating in a phase III multicenter clinical trial of new cancer therapies. This means that patients can take part in experimental treatments when classic therapies have not yielded the desired results.

Safety

When planning chemotherapy and other drug treatments, special attention is paid to the patient’s current condition.
Before treatment begins, a comprehensive diagnosis of all organs and systems of the body is performed and supportive therapy is prescribed to compensate for side effects of the main treatment such as:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Hair loss;
• Weight loss;
• Decrease in the level of blood cells: red blood cells, platelets, leukocytes.

While undergoing treatment in Medipol, you can be assured of the quality of the medications provided. Medipol clinic uses only certified and original medicines.

The Turkish Ministry of Health strictly controls the circulation of all medications, including chemotherapy preparations.

Comprehensive Diagnosis

All the different diagnostic procedures are available to the patients in one building. There is no need to wait for your turn or make appointments for examinations months in advance.

To obtain an image of the tumor, specialists prescribe patients such methods of examination:

• PET CT with contrast;
• MRI at 3 Tesla;
• Computed tomography with 256 slices.

Biopsies of tumor cells are performed under ultrasound or computer navigation. Stereotactic units are used in neurosurgery.

Medipol University Hospital has its own pathology laboratory, where tumor cells are examined for genetic mutations as well as their molecular structure. These methods are called cytogenetic and immunohistochemical.

Robotic surgery

Medipol Hospital is one of the first to use a robotic system to perform Da Vinci surgery. With it, a trained surgeon can perform complex surgical procedures by controlling the surgical unit remotely, at a specially equipped station.

Benefits of robot-assisted surgery:

• Conduct complex interventions in places inaccessible to the surgeon’s hand;
• Fast postoperative rehabilitation.

Low blood loss and no need for blood transfusions,

• Low blood loss and no need for transfusion;
• Minimal invasion- the operation is done through small incisions;
• Low postoperative complication rate (less than 1%).

The da Vinci robot surgery is successfully used in the surgery of tumors of ENT organs, urology, gynecology and others.

Effective Radiation Therapy

Gamma Knife

Until recently, the treatment of malignant and benign brain tumors was performed using the traditional surgical method. This entailed a high risk of developing undesirable complications and consequences.

The new «gold standard» is the Gamma Knife. It is a technology of targeted irradiation of tumor cells. The transmitter sends out about 210 gamma rays. They penetrate through all tissues directly into the tumor without consequences. The irradiation takes place at the intersection of all the beams. This intersection is the tumor.

Advantage of Gamma Knife Treatment:

• Non-invasive treatment. The patient does not have traumatic interventions in the cranial cavity.
• Treatment is usually performed within a single session of radiation.
• Fast rehabilitation. In just a few days, the patient can return to daily life.

RapidArc Radiation Therapy

Oncoradiologists perform radiation therapy on a new linear gas pedal — Varian Trilogy Lineer. It is now possible to fully program the flow of radiation and take such factors into account when designing a radiation therapy program:

• Tumor location and size;
• The presence of important organs, vascular and nerve plexuses near the tumor;
• The density and thickness of tissue around the tumor (bone, fatty tissue, muscle, etc.)

This allows you to select the most effective dose of radiation and direct the flow of rays so that healthy tissues and organs are not involved.