UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA MEDICAL CENTRE BERTAM INTRODUCES ADVANCED SYSTEM TO ENHANCE CANCER TREATMENT SAFETY

Universiti Sains Malaysia Medical Centre Bertam (USMMCB), 20th December 2024, is thrilled to announce that the medical centre is implementing the Integral Quality Monitor (IQM) system, a new, improved technology to ensure the safety of advanced radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients is at the highest standard of care. This marks a groundbreaking achievement as the USMMCB becomes the first radiotherapy centre in Southeast Asia to implement the state-of-the-art technology for enhancing the quality assurance processes in advanced radiation therapy.

Photo By NORIZAN ISHAK
USMMCB becomes the first radiotherapy centre in Southeast Asia

Radiotherapy is one of the most advanced methods in treating cancer, using high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells. Modern radiotherapy techniques, such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), require pinpoint accuracy to deliver complex treatment plans tailored to each patient. These treatments involve delivering precise doses to irregularly shaped tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissues, making quality assurance critical to their success.

Photo By NORIZAN ISHAK
USMMCB becomes the first radiotherapy centre in Southeast Asia

The IQM system ensures the success of precise radiotherapy to cancer cells more accurately while protecting healthy tissues, leading to better outcomes and fewer side effects. This advanced technology is a game-changer in cancer treatment, as the system continuously monitors the accuracy of radiation doses in real-time, reducing risks and ensuring every treatment is delivered as planned by the Radiation Oncologist and Medical Physicist. The system verifies the radiation beam instantly using a specially designed detector that can efficiently provide the safety check as the treatment is being delivered. Mr. Beghdad Zoghi, Product Specialist of iRT based in Koblenz Germany is happy that Malaysia is joining their consortium of major cancer centres in the world implementing the technology.

Photo By NORIZAN ISHAK
USMMCB becomes the first radiotherapy centre in Southeast Asia

Chief Medical Physicist, Madam Nursyatina that leads the radiotherapy system upgrade project added that “the system also will allow the automation of many safety checks that are normally done manually by medical physicists, allowing us to focus on the patients’ treatment plans, streamlining processes for quicker treatment.” “The system also would allow the centre to enhance medical physics and radiation oncology research by investigating further methods to optimise the safety of radiotherapy treatment delivery”, says Dr. Hafiz M Zin, Associate Professor in Medical Physics of the Advanced Medical & Dental Institute, USM.

Dato’ Seri Professor Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia, expressed his hope during his visit to the centre today that with the implementation of advanced tools, the centre will enhance its capacity to treat more patients, aligning with its vision to become the referral cancer centre in the northern region, as well as one of the main education and training hub in oncology. The Vice-Chancellor was welcomed by the Director of the Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, USM and the Top Management team, updating the development progress of the centre.

This cutting-edge technology reflects our dedication to providing world-class cancer care, bringing hope and improved quality of life to our patients and their families. By adopting the IQM tool, we reaffirm our commitment to setting new standards in healthcare excellence.by Nursyatina Abdul Raof & Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Hafiz Mohd Zin.