Open New Hope for Cervical Cancer Patients, High Precision Radiotherapy Technology 

JAKARTA - In the midst of the still high number of cervical cancer in Indonesia which ranks second in the most cancer in women with around 36,000 new cases every year, the development of radiotherapy technology presents new hope for patients. Radiotherapy has evolved into one of the most effective and precise methods of treating cancer, not only for cervical cancer, but also other gynecological cancers, with increasing safety and patient comfort.

Radiotherapy is one of the three main pillars of cancer therapy, in addition to surgery and systemic therapy. "About 50-60% of cancer patients need radiotherapy as part of their treatment regimen. As public awareness of cervical cancer screening increases, more and more patients are detected at stages that can still be optimally treated with radiotherapy, especially at stages II and III." said dr. Fauzan Herdian, Sp.Onk.Rad, Radiation Oncology Specialist at Primaya Hospital West Bekasi.

In cancer treatment, radiotherapy is carried out through two main approaches, namely external radiotherapy and brachytherapy. External radiotherapy is the most common method, using high-energy ionizing rays that are precisely directed to the tumor area through a special machine, with a duration of about 10-30 minutes per session without causing pain. Meanwhile, brachytherapy is done by placing the applicator directly on the tumor area and becoming an important part - even mandatory if there are no contraindications - in cervical cancer therapy to complement the radiation dose optimally. The side effects of radiotherapy are generally local and temporary, such as skin irritation, digestive disorders, or urinary complaints.

The development of radiotherapy technology in recent years has presented high-precision techniques such as 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT) and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), including advanced techniques such as VMAT and IGRT. This technology allows for more accurate radiation dose settings, effectively targeting tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

"With modern techniques such as IMRT and VMAT, radiotherapy is now safer and more comfortable. The success rate of therapy increases, while side effects can be more controlled, including in post-operative cervical cancer or those that have spread to the lymph nodes," added dr. Fauzan.

In cervical cancer, radiotherapy plays an important role in various stages, ranging from post-operative adjuvant therapy, primary therapy in advanced local stages, to symptom control in advanced stages. Comprehensive radiotherapy services with modern technology are available at Primaya Hospital Tangerang and Primaya Hospital Bekasi Barat.

Early Detection is the Key

Early detection is still the key in cancer diseases because it provides a very high chance of recovery, even approaching 100% if found in the pre-cancerous stage or early stage. The therapy becomes shorter, the side effects are lighter, and the cost of treatment is much lower.

Cervical cancer screening is recommended to be carried out periodically through Pap smears every 3-5 years after marriage, or IVA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) test as an initial screening, especially in areas with limited access to services.

"Radiotherapy is no longer a scary therapy. With modern technology and early detection, radiotherapy even becomes a solution that gives great hope for cancer patients to recover and return to living a productive life," concluded Dr. Fauzan.