Robert Werbanow is a philologist, journalist and photographer. He photographs what is closest and familiar - people, landscapes, animals. For him, photography is a form of reportage - it captures fragments of time in the frame, illustrations to an ongoing story. He has already presented, among others: exhibitions "Lemkowyna", "Provincial Miracles", "Another World".

Now he focused on Nowa Huta. The photos are full of reflection, insight and contemplation, probably not by accident. Robert Werbanow came to Nowa Huta somewhat out of compulsion, he is a patient of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center.

" I was able to observe how important pursuing passion, curiosity, and the desire to create can be in therapy. Cancer treatment is a huge challenge for every patient. Without the will to live and faith in recovery, it's sometimes difficult to get through it. The need to pursue a project can give you additional energy and strength, and when it involves artistic endeavors, this drive becomes even stronger. Perhaps we should issue prescriptions for creating art? I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Robert for allowing me to participate in the creation of this exhibition ," says Mariusz Pietrasz, MD, a radiation oncology specialist whose patient is the creator of the exhibition.

"My discovery of Nowa Huta" - the opening of Robert Werbanow's exhibition will take place on March 16 at 18.00 p.m. at the Cultural Center. CK Norwida, os. Górali 5, Kraków. The exhibition will be on view there until April 22. Later, from April 27 to May 10, the photos will be presented at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center.

The number of Ukrainians working and studying in our country is growing. In 2016, the Małopolska Voivodeship Office was in second place in terms of the number of incoming cases regarding the legalization of stay and work permits for foreigners (mainly from Ukraine) - over 13,3 thousand cases were reported. applications, which is an increase of over 100%. Medical services at a Western level and the proximity of centers make Małopolska medical facilities an attractive alternative for citizens from across the eastern border.

From the beginning of its operation, the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, which closely cooperates with the Specialist Hospital. L. Rydygier, several people from Ukraine underwent treatment here. They have access to doctors of various specialties, just like patients from Poland. With sick foreigners in mind, the center has prepared leaflets in Ukrainian and translated documents, and also provides patients with translator assistance and finding a place to stay for the duration of radiotherapy treatments.

In Białołęka near Warsaw, on the morning of January 31, there was a great fire. The hall burned down, and the fire also affected buildings belonging to the telecommunications company T-Mobile. This results in serious difficulties in access to telecommunications and Internet services in this network. The failure affected the operation of telephones at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Kraków and the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Zgorzelec. We apologize to all those who were unable to reach our telephone numbers. We have no influence on the course of this failure, which affects the entire country. In urgent matters, please contact us directly on site.

Fighting cancer requires each time to create a separate strategy and design therapy tailored to each patient. This is particularly important in the treatment of head and neck cancers, emphasize doctors from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow.

Head and neck cancers account for approximately 6% of all malignant tumors diagnosed in Poland. Based on these data, some might think this is a small number, but nothing could be further from the truth. At the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Krakow, until a few years ago, the largest group of patients were those with various head injuries, but now oncological diseases have clearly taken center stage. Several hundred cancer patients are treated here annually, 70% of whom are malignant tumors. Most of these are also referred to the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, which closely collaborates with the Krakow Specialist Hospital. In 2020, the Amethyst Center treated 275 patients with head and neck cancer, representing nearly 10% of all patients undergoing radiotherapy here.

A surgeon and a radiotherapist

The degree of complexity of the anatomy of the head and neck region requires a multidisciplinary approach and appropriate organization. In this case, all available treatment methods are used, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Today, there is no single effective therapy. Doctors use all possibilities related to combining all types of oncological treatment. In the case of tumors in the head and neck, their location affects whether they will first be surgically removed or whether doctors will use radiotherapy or chemotherapy as the first stage of therapy. In this case, consultations, i.e. consultations with a multi-disciplinary team of doctors dealing with cancer treatment in a given location, are a real brainstorming session.

Radiotherapy of cancers in this region uses not only teletherapy, i.e. irradiation of the patient from a certain distance using linear accelerators, but also brachytherapy. In this method, the radiation source is placed directly in the patient's body. This is done in various ways - using existing body cavities and using special applicators - plastic tubes or needles placed in the tumor. A radiotherapist often participates in the surgical procedure to install the applicators necessary for brachytherapy on the patient during the procedure.

Concentrate the radiation dose

" Brachytherapy enables the delivery of a high dose of radiation with incredible precision directly to the tumor, increasing the chance of cure with a relatively low risk of complications. This is particularly important in the case of head and neck cancers, where many vital organs are located, such as the salivary glands and the pharyngeal sphincter muscle. After receiving the high dose of radiation necessary to cure the cancer, these organs can lose their functionality. This is crucial for the patient's ability to swallow, and therefore to feed, which can lead to significant debilitation and even death, " says Marta Urbańska-Gąsiorowska, a radiotherapist at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow.

Modern research clearly indicates the effectiveness of combined, interdisciplinary treatment in the treatment of cancer. High doses of irradiation combined with simultaneous chemotherapy provide a greater chance for local cure. Unfortunately, not every patient can undergo such intensive therapy, which is caused not only by poor health related to cancer, but also to other comorbidities. In such cases, the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center uses many solutions that allow for safe intensification of treatment.

To compensate for the inability to administer simultaneous chemotherapy, hyperfractionation is used, during which the patient is irradiated twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Particular effects can be achieved by combining teleradiotherapy and brachytherapy, which allows for a significant increase in the radiation dose in the tumor itself or in the place after its removal. In a situation where there are contraindications to surgery to remove the tumor, the use of brachytherapy in low-advanced head and neck cancers provides comparable therapeutic results with a very good aesthetic effect. This method is also addressed to patients with recurrence of cancer in a previously irradiated area, if surgical resection is not possible.

Treatment is also increasingly supported by immunotherapy. Thanks to the use of appropriate drugs, the patient's immune system is activated to fight cancer. The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center conducts clinical tests of drugs that affect the immune system.

For the sake of patients' quality of life

In the case of head and neck cancer therapy, a major challenge is to control complications and provide patients with a satisfactory quality of life after the disease and its treatment. Therapy may disrupt basic life functions related to the ability to eat, speak or hear. Moreover, patients are afraid of scars and other changes that directly affect their appearance.

When planning radiation therapy to the head and neck, it is necessary to protect critical organs such as the salivary glands, pharyngeal sphincter, and oral cavity. Saliva is essential for formulating a food bite. Dry mouth is a common side symptom during radiotherapy. However, it is important to minimize these effects and ensure that the salivary glands return to proper functioning after completion of radiotherapy.

"Effective therapy can be a significant challenge for the patient. Patients lose weight and may experience more frequent infections. As doctors, we must devote significant attention to guiding the patient through this difficult process. Sometimes, eating disorders are so severe that we resort to so-called industrial nutrition, administered through a special enteral tube. For some patients, this type of nutrition is used even before treatment begins, due to the initial restriction of oral intake, " explains Marta Urbańska-Gąsiorowska.

From the very beginning, when a patient comes to the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, he is under the care of a dietitian who gives him instructions on how to eat and take care of himself. Before the therapy begins, the patient usually has some time to change his eating habits, nourish himself properly and hydrate his body. This is very important, because such "supplies" may turn out to be crucial during the difficulties of therapy. During the entire treatment process, the patient's weight is monitored. If it falls, quick remedial steps are taken.

Another extremely important aspect of treatment is working with a psycho-oncologist. Most patients and their families require such support, and often pharmacological therapy. Studies have proven that low mood or depression worsen the results of cancer therapy.

" Observing our patients, we see how important good eating habits and support from family and medical staff are. If a patient takes care of themselves and is engaged in their therapy, they will have an easier time following it and a better chance of recovery, " notes Marta Urbańska-Gąsiorowska.

The text was published in the supplement of Dziennik Gazeta Prawna "Oncology - diagnosis and treatment".

Oncology_February2021

The text in the supplement can be read here

How to help effectively? How to help to make others independent? Where to find the inner strength to help? Can we better help others because of our failures? These questions are familiar to therapists, psychologists, nurses, doctors, teachers and all people who professionally specialize in supporting others. We increasingly look at this issue from a holistic perspective, looking for solutions in alternative trends in modern psychology.

The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center is one of the co-organizers of the "Art of Helping" seminar, led by Gunter Schricker , a world-renowned therapist and lecturer associated with Bert Hellinger's systemic consonances, a supervisor with master therapeutic licenses in TZI and NLP. He trains therapists, teachers, and physicians from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Poland, among others. He is a long-time lecturer at the European Academy of Systemic Consonances (Eurasys) and the Bert Hellinger School (Sciencia).

The seminar will take place on Friday, March 20 this year. in the auditorium of the Multispecialty Hospital. L. Rydygiera, Złota Jesieni housing estate 1 in Krakow. As part of the seminar, an open lecture will be held from 12.00 to 14.00. To take part, you must pay PLN 50 to the account of the Medicea Foundation.

FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLINICAL RESEARCH IN POLAND – MEDICEA

Account number: 33 1050 1445 1000 0090 3042 7851