Treatment methods will depend on a number of factors, including how advanced the cancer is, and where in the body it occurs.
Radiation therapy can be used as a complementary treatment for surgery, or a beneficial alternative method of treatment where surgery is not viable or desirable.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer or another condition, you should be presented with all suitable options for treatment, which can often include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy – sometimes used independently and sometimes in conjunction with one another.
All are effective treatments, and understanding which treatment option is best for you can depend on a number of factors, including preconditions and possible side effects, which can vary. Your specialist team will be best placed to discuss all the options and implications with you to ensure that you feel confident and comfortable that the decision made is the best for you.
Chemotherapy is used as radiosensitizers for concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy to increase effectiveness. At other times, radiation therapy may be sequenced before or after chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted agents.
At Pandey Radiation Oncology, we form part of a dedicated team – working closely with your GP, surgeon (where appropriate) and any other practitioners that form your care team, such as other specialists for specific cancer types.
Previously training as a neurosurgeon, as well as undertaking neuroscience research, Dr Pandey holds a special interest and experience in the treatment of brain cancers. He is currently working on active research for incurable grade 4 gliomas (Glioblastoma Multiforme).
We treat both Primary Brain Tumours (those that begin in the brain) and Metastatic Brain Tumours (those that have originated elsewhere in the body – these are called secondary or brain metastases).
We provide treatment for all Primary Brain Tumours, from low grade to high grade gliomas.
Metastatic Brain Tumours are typically treated with a CyberKnife system, using SRS or SRT technique, and requiring between 1–5 sessions of just 30 minutes each. Treatment is non-invasive, pain-free and does not require a hospital admission unlike traditional surgery. Costing the same as surgery, a single session will be enough in most cases if it is a small lesion, and multiple spots can be treated at one time. No general anaesthesia is required, and it is not unusual to have the treatment and almost immediately continue with most normal activities for very small lesions. The gentle nature of our treatment methods means patients can often be back to normal routines within hours, and normal brain tissue is spared, reducing issues such as memory loss or cognition issues.
Read More about radiotherapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme GBM
When detected early, prostate cancer is very responsive to treatment. Using SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) we can treat prostate cancer with just 5 sessions, instead of 39 or 20. With CyberKnife technology, we are often able to complete radiation therapy with zero side effects, offering a highly targeted and precise method that minimises damage to surrounding tissue. The procedure takes around 30 minutes, and radiation therapy treatment instead of surgery, removes any risk from an operation or general anaesthesia. This can be especially helpful for elderly patients or those with other medical conditions such as heart disease.
When comparing radiation therapy for prostate cancer vs surgery, radiotherapy offers equally good outcomes, but different adverse effects. Surgery can pose a risk of urinary incontinence or affect erectile function post prostatectomy. When experienced, side effects of radiation can include some short-term, and some long-term effects. Short term effects can include urinary urgency and frequency, or some irritation. Longer term, some urinary incontinence or potency (erectile) difficulties can occur, but these are rare and usually related to pre-existing conditions before surgery.
For cancer treatment, Dr Pandey works closely with breast surgeons. These are Oncoplastic Surgeons specialising in reconstruction. Breast Cancer treatment has drastically improved in recent years, now involving often around five sessions, over 1 week, while traditionally this involved 15 treatment sessions over 3 weeks. In treatment, we incorporate techniques that reduce heart exposure to radiotherapy, reducing potential treatment-related cardiac toxicity.
Our intention and focus is always to seek ways to reduce the possible late side effects of breast fibrosis, which cause lumpiness and poorer cosmetic outcomes. Post breast radiotherapy, we may also prescribe certain oral medications to help with this. We maintain a close follow-up regime post radiotherapy to check for recurrence or spread to allow for early intervention and review any adverse effects.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand. Early detection significantly improves treatment success. At Pandey Clinic, we use advanced radiation therapy to precisely target cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. Radiation may be used before surgery to shrink tumors, after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells, or as a primary treatment when surgery isn’t an option.
For patients with rectal cancer, our techniques help reduce the need for permanent colostomies by shrinking tumors before surgical intervention. We also offer palliative radiation therapy to relieve pain, control symptoms, and enhance quality of life for those with advanced disease.
Head and neck cancers require a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Radiation therapy is frequently used alongside surgery and chemotherapy, ensuring precise targeting while preserving critical functions like speech and swallowing.
For cancers affecting the throat, tongue, tonsils, and larynx, precision is essential to maintain essential functions such as speech and swallowing. We use (technology) to deliver high doses of radiation to tumors while sparing healthy tissues. These cutting-edge methods help reduce side effects like dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, allowing patients to maintain a better quality of life throughout treatment.
Radiation therapy is a key treatment for lung cancer, especially for patients who are not candidates for surgery. Using advanced techniques like (technology), we deliver highly focused radiation in shorter treatment cycles, leading to improved effectiveness and fewer side effects.
For early-stage lung cancer, SRT provides an alternative to surgery, offering a potential cure with minimal disruption to lung function. For more advanced cases, radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy or immunotherapy to enhance treatment effectiveness. Advanced technology allows for real-time motion tracking, ensuring accurate targeting of tumors even as patients breathe naturally.
Pancreatic cancer can be challenging to treat, but radiation therapy plays an essential role in shrinking tumors pre-surgery or managing symptoms in later stages. Our advanced CyberKnife technology allows for precise targeting, reducing damage to surrounding organs and improving treatment outcomes.
For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, our radiation therapy techniques help control tumor growth, improve pain management, and enhance surgical outcomes when resection is possible. Our goal is to maximise treatment effectiveness while preserving digestive function and overall quality of life.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and early intervention is key to successful treatment. At Pandey Clinic, we specialise in non-invasive radiation therapy for treating skin cancers. Radiation therapy is an excellent option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or prefer a non-surgical approach.
For patients with advanced or recurrent skin cancers, we use high-precision radiation techniques to manage and control the disease effectively. Our treatments are designed to be quick, pain-free, and highly effective, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine. We work closely with dermatologists and surgeons to ensure a holistic treatment plan that is effective and supports positive cosmetic outcomes.
These include:
Technology used to deliver SRT/SABR includes CyberKnife, a radiation therapy machine used for advanced stereotactic radiation therapy.