PROPER DIET IN ONCOLOGY TREATMENT

/in /by

The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center has introduced the possibility for patients to consult a specialist dietician who will prepare an optimal diet for them. So far, approximately 200 patients have benefited from the help of Dr. Dominika Mękal.

Almost all of them had some problem with eating. Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy have problems, for example, with eating acidic foods, and eating often causes pain. Some patients develop severe malnutrition during treatment due to lack of appetite or taste. The higher energy demand associated with the disease and the therapy, which is not supplemented, leads to rapid weight loss and loss of muscle mass. And this means for the patient not only less strength to fight the cancer and a greater risk of infection and worse prognosis, but also many complications and a longer stay in the hospital. According to data from the National Cancer Institute  up to 40% of patients die not because of cancer, but because of malnutrition. Therefore, both prevention and the quickest possible diagnosis of patients at risk of or undernourished are crucial. This will improve the quality of life of patients, reduce the risk of complications and mortality, and reduce treatment costs.

AMETHYST IS BUILDING A TEAM OF SPECIALISTS

/in /by

Recruitment of employees for the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow is underway. The facility is being built at the Rydygier Specialist Hospital. Its launch is planned for the end of this year. The job offers concern highly specialized staff: radiotherapists, medical physicists and electroradiology technicians.

Specialists employed in the Amethyst network will be trained in partner centers around the world, including: in Metz, France and Davidoff Center in Israel. The aim of the Amethyst Radiotherapy network of centers is to implement the latest scientific achievements. The Krakow center will be equipped with the latest equipment adapted to the use of highly specialized radiotherapeutic procedures.

Moreover, RTCP, which runs the Krakow investment, is currently looking for a financial control specialist.

THE CENTER'S FIVE THOUSAND PATIENT

/in /by

The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow is celebrating a small anniversary - the XNUMXth patient completed his treatment here in mid-November.

It was a patient with head and neck cancer who was scheduled for irradiation after surgery. Treatment with a very precise VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) technique, which also allows to shorten the duration of irradiation compared to other available methods, was completed on November 15.

The first patient came to the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow on December 16, 2013. Since then, the number of patients undergoing treatment has increased every year: in 2014 it was 1050 people, in 2015 - 1871, and by mid-November this year. already 2080 people.

COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITIONAL CARE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

/in /by

For seven months, the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow has been conducting open lectures on proper nutrition for patients and their families. One of the important elements of the meetings is debunking common myths about cancer and diet, as well as drawing attention to the danger of weight loss. So far, almost 150 people have participated in the lectures.

Open meetings for patients treated at the Center and their relatives are organized regularly once a month and are always very popular. The specialist dietitian, Dr. Dominika Mękal, who runs them, emphasizes that proper nutrition during and after oncological treatment plays a key role. It is primarily about providing the body with all important nutrients, but also preventing malnutrition, which complicates treatment, leads to complications and can be fatal. – I explain what to eat and what not to eat during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but also how to eat after treatment. Patients are often confused or ask about nutritional news, so at the same time I have to deal with myths that are harmful to oncological patients. – emphasizes Dominika Mękal.

NEXT STAGE OF INVESTMENT IN ZGORZELEC

/in /by

The pouring of concrete for the bunkers in which the accelerators will work in the future has started. The bunkers constitute the heart of the radiotherapy center.

Concrete of special thickness and durability separates the accelerators from the surroundings to make the therapy process completely safe.

The Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Zgorzelec is the second center of this international network in Poland. It is being created at the Multispecialty Hospital in Zgorzelec.

Concreting of the bunker walls is scheduled for September, and finishing works will begin in October.

ONCOLOGY FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS

/in /by

50 fifth-year students of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Krakow Academy. Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski completed classes in the subject Oncology and palliative care. The second block of classes for subsequent students will take place in the summer semester. The head of this course is Marcin Hetnał, MD, PhD, medical director of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center and head of the Radiotherapy Department of the Rydygier Hospital in Krakow.

The subject Oncology and palliative care includes 30 hours of lectures and seminars and 45 hours of exercises. Specialist doctors were invited to conduct classes and share their professional experience. The program will also include work with a psychologist on communication with the patient and his family. Students have the opportunity to learn about the operation of multidisciplinary teams and specialized equipment, because some of the classes are practical. Lectures are held online, but the exercises, while maintaining the sanitary regime, were conducted stationary at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center and at the Hospital. L. Rydygier in Krakow.

- We pay special attention to "oncological vigilance", which is crucial for the early diagnosis of cancer, and the role of combination treatment involving the use of several therapeutic methods in the same patient, which allows for obtaining the best therapy results. Modern oncology is a team effort that requires the cooperation of many specialists  – emphasizes Dr Marcin Hetnał.

There are 160 new cancer cases reported annually in Poland, and it is estimated that this number may increase to 185 in the next ten years. Meanwhile, the shortage of specialized doctors who could take care of cancer patients is growing.

- In the context of the increase in cancer cases, two education issues are particularly important. The first concerns increasing the number of clinical oncologists, radiation oncology specialists, and surgeons, so we need to teach students in such a way as to encourage them to choose oncological specializations. The second issue is to increase knowledge about cancer among doctors of all specializations, because only in this way the early detection of cancer will improve and many patients will have a chance for effective treatment. – says Dr Marcin Hetnał.

NOTICE ON RADIOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS FROM UKRAINE

/in /by

The assistance will apply to all medical services offered by Amethyst, in particular specialist treatment tumors using radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

The treatment concerns oncology patients who, due to Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, were forced to discontinue radiotherapy treatment in their homeland. Such Patients can report to the Amethyst Center, where, in cooperation with the Multi-Specialist Hospital. L. Rydygiera in Kraków, they will be provided with adequate medical assistance.

The coordination of activities related to the service of Ukrainian patients at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow in Ukrainian will be coordinated by Mrs. Olga Pojan tel. 690 963 221. A special e-mail address has also been launched for contact for people from Ukraine who need oncological help: ua@amethyst-rtcp.pl

🇺🇦 Advertisement about radiotherapy and health care in Ukraine, які перетнули кордон після 24.02.2022/XNUMX/XNUMXр

Amethist Radiotherapy Polska Sp. z o. o. for the recommendation of the National Fund for the Protection of Children' я щодо принципів надання та встановлення пільг громадянам України, які перетнули кордон Республіки Польща в результаті військових ді й, повідомляє, що як медична установа, яка надає медичні послуги в сф ері oncological treatments, ми негайно допоможе українським пацієнтам, які потребують променевої терапії. The service is built cost-free.

To help with all medicines, as well as to promote Amethyst, зокрем а, спеціалізоване лікування раку за допомогою променевої та брахіт ерапії.

Лікування стосується онкологічних хворих, які через військову аг ресію Росії на території України були змушені припинити променеву терапію на Батьківщині. This is how you can view the Center "Ametist" for your information. agatoprofіlьною лікарнею ім Л. Ридиёєри в Кракові, їм буде надана належна медична допомога.

Діяльність, пов'язану з обслуговуванням українських пацієнтів у Ц ентрі променевої терапії «Аметист» у Кракові українською мовою ко director: Mr. Olga Poyan, tel. 690 963 221. Electronic address: ua@amethyst-rtcp.pl

SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN ZAKOPANE

/in /by

Representatives of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center will participate in the 8st Scientific Conference "Advances in gynecological oncology", which will be held on September 10-XNUMX.

For two days, oncology specialists will talk about various aspects of gynecological oncology, methods of treating cancer, as well as the rationale for and use of specific medical techniques. Interactive workshops on combined treatment of cervical and endometrial cancer are also planned, which will be conducted by, among others, Marcin Hetnał, M.D., Krzysztof Bereza, M.D., and M.Eng. Daniel Nahajowski from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow. Dr. Marcin Hetnał is also a member of the conference organizing committee. Lectures and training will take place at the Belvedere Congress Center in Zakopane.

The conference was held under the patronage of prof. Ph.D., M.D. Zbigniew Kojs, national consultant in the field of gynecological oncology, and among the honorary patrons are Jacek Krupa, marshal of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, and Piotr Bąk, starosta of the Tatra poviat.

More information here.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY ABOUT ONCOLOGY

/in /by

Conference "Multidisciplinary about oncology - multidisciplinary teams are a chance for greater effectiveness of oncological treatment” will take place in Krakow, at the newly opened Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, 11 December 2013 year. It is scheduled to start at 10.00. The conference will be attended by, among others: prof. CI Kiricuta and prof. Razvana Galalae, world authority in the field of radiotherapy.

The conference accompanies the opening of the first Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Poland. The aim of the network is to implement the latest medical achievements and guarantee all patients access to modern equipment, the best specialists and therapeutic methods, including combined treatment. It involves the use of several therapeutic methods in the same patient, most often surgery, systemic treatment and radiotherapy. Thanks to combined treatment, it is possible to obtain the best therapy results. This method requires efficient work of multidisciplinary teams.

Combination treatment is currently recommended by all guidelines, standards and recommendations in the world. However, in Poland it still encounters many procedural and mental barriers, which is why the Amethyst network wants to popularize such a multidisciplinary approach to oncology. He invites specialists, clinical oncologists and oncological surgeons to join the discussion. The inauguration of the campaign is the conference "Multidisciplinary about oncology - multidisciplinary teams - a chance for greater effectiveness of oncological treatment". The patronage of this project was taken by prof. Ph.D. med. Stanisław Korzeniowski, provincial consultant in oncological radiotherapy.

Conference programme

Multidisciplinary about oncology - multidisciplinary teams are a chance for greater effectiveness of oncological treatment

Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in Krakow (Osiedle Złotej Jesieni 1, building adjacent to the L. Rydygier Specialist Hospital)

10.00-10.30 – registration of participants

10.30-11.00  – opening of the seminar and tour of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center

11.00-12.45 – thematic session, moderator – Marcin Hetnał, MD:

  • speech by prof. Ph.D. Stanisław Korzeniowski, provincial consultant in the field of oncological radiotherapy,
  • From 2D to 4D radiotherapy – prof. Ph.D. Ion Christian Kiricuta,
  • Accessibility to radiotherapy in Poland – are new radiotherapy centers needed? – prof. Ph.D. Sergiusz Nawrocki,
  • The effectiveness of oncological treatment based on the German experience – prof. Razvan Galalae,
  • Multidisciplinary teams. Why are they needed and how to create them? – prof. Ph.D. Jan Zapała, Dr. Piotr Koralewski, Dr. Marcin Hetnał.

12.45-13.10 -  Are multidisciplinary teams a chance to increase the effectiveness of oncological treatment in Poland? – panel discussion.

ABOUT ONCOLOGY AT THE DOCTORS' ANNIVERSARY FORUM

/in /by

Doctors from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center took part in a scientific conference organized by the Specialist Hospital. L. Rydygier in Krakow. Dr. Marcin Hetnał assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of stereotactic radiotherapy of lung tumors.

6th Jubilee Forum of Doctors of the Specialist Hospital. L. Rydygiera in Krakow took place on April 2016, 30. The first session was entirely devoted to the oncology package and cancer treatment. Specialist Hospital named after Rydygiera is one of the largest medical facilities in Małopolska, hospitalizing nearly XNUMX people annually. patients, many of whom are oncologically ill.

The first speech at the Forum concerned models of treatment for combined treatment of rectal cancer developed within the interdisciplinary team, which has been operating for the second year. The co-author of the paper is Maria Marczak-Ziętkiewicz from the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center.

Dr. Marcin Hetnał, director of the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of stereotactic hypofractionated radiotherapy of lung tumors. – The results are promising and place us among the world's best radiotherapy centers, but for now we only have seventeen months of data. This is not enough to draw final conclusions - explains Dr. Hetnał.

The first stereotactic radiotherapy was performed at the Amethyst Radiotherapy Center in March 2014. Thanks to this method, it is possible to irradiate cancerous lesions very precisely, including: located in the lungs.