Overview
The Radiation Oncology Department at Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre is equipped with advanced technology to deliver highly precise and effective radiation treatment for various cancers. SMCC is proud to be the first centre in the district and one of the leading centres in South Tamil Nadu to introduce advanced Linear Accelerator (LINAC)–based radiotherapy and Brachytherapy, enabling modern radiation treatment closer to home for patients in the region. Our radiation oncology services focus on maximum tumor control while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, ensuring safer treatment and better quality of life for patients.
Dr K L Jayakumar
MD ( Radiation Oncology)
Advanced Technology
Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
The state-of-the-art Varian Linear Accelerator allows highly precise radiation delivery using advanced treatment planning systems. It enables modern radiotherapy techniques that accurately target tumors while protecting nearby organs.
CT Simulator for Precision Treatment Planning
The Radiation Oncology Department at Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre is equipped with an advanced CT Simulator, an essential technology used for accurate radiation treatment planning.
The CT simulator allows radiation oncologists to obtain detailed three-dimensional images of the tumor and surrounding organs before starting treatment. Using these images, specialists can precisely identify the tumor location, define target volumes, and design personalized radiation plans that deliver the required dose to the cancer while protecting nearby healthy tissues.
This advanced planning system ensures high precision, improved treatment accuracy, better patient safety, and optimal treatment outcomes in modern radiotherapy.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy delivers internal radiation directly to the tumor site, allowing high-dose radiation to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues. This technique is especially effective in treating cancers such as cervical, endometrial, prostate, and breast cancers.
Radiation Treatment Techniques
The department provides a wide range of advanced radiation therapy techniques.
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
External beam radiation therapy uses a Linear Accelerator to deliver high-energy radiation beams from outside the body directly to the tumor.
Advanced EBRT techniques available include:
• RapidArc Therapy – advanced volumetric arc therapy allowing highly precise radiation delivery with shorter treatment times
• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – enables modulation of radiation dose to conform precisely to the tumor shape
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – real-time imaging during treatment ensures accurate radiation targeting
• 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) – radiation beams shaped according to tumor geometry to reduce exposure to normal tissues
• Electron Beam Therapy – specialized radiation technique used for treating superficial tumors
HDR Brachytherapy
High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy is an advanced form of internal radiation therapy in which a radioactive source is placed close to or inside the tumor for a short duration. This allows highly targeted radiation delivery with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
HDR Brachytherapy is commonly used in the treatment of cervical, endometrial, prostate, and other selected cancers.
Cancers Treated with Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used for the treatment of many cancers, including:
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Brain Tumors
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy, depending on the stage and type of cancer.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning
Every patient at SMCC benefits from a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board discussion, where specialists from radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiology, and pathology collaborate to design the most effective treatment plan.
Patient Care and Safety
Patient safety and comfort remain a top priority in radiation therapy.
Our radiation oncology team ensures:
- Accurate treatment planning
- Strict radiation safety protocols
- Continuous monitoring during therapy
- Personalized patient counselling and support
Radiation Safety & Regulatory Compliance
The Radiation Oncology Department at Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre operates under strict regulatory and safety standards. All radiation therapy facilities, including the Linear Accelerator, Brachytherapy unit, and CT Simulator, are licensed and regulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Government of India.
The centre strictly follows all AERB guidelines and radiation safety protocols to ensure safe and responsible use of radiation in medical treatment. Regular quality assurance checks, equipment calibration, and radiation monitoring are conducted to maintain the highest standards of safety for patients, staff, and the environment.
A dedicated Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) oversees compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring that all procedures adhere to national and international radiation protection standards.
Onco-Pathology and Frozen Section Services
Accurate pathological diagnosis is essential for effective cancer treatment. At Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre, the Onco-Pathology services provide comprehensive histopathological evaluation of tumors to ensure precise diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning. The department works closely with the oncology team to support multidisciplinary cancer care.
The centre also offers intraoperative frozen section analysis, which enables rapid pathological examination of tissues during surgery. This allows surgeons to assess tumor margins and confirm diagnosis in real time, helping guide immediate surgical decisions. The availability of frozen section services significantly improves surgical precision, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of patient care.
Academic Excellence in Radiation Oncology
Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre is proud to be one of the first centres in South Tamil Nadu to offer a Postgraduate (PG) training program in Radiation Oncology (3 seats), contributing to the development of highly skilled oncology specialists for the region and the country. The program provides comprehensive clinical training supported by advanced technologies such as Linear Accelerator–based radiotherapy, Brachytherapy, and CT Simulator–based treatment planning. Postgraduate trainees gain extensive exposure to modern radiation techniques, multidisciplinary tumor board discussions, research activities, and patient-centered cancer care, helping strengthen oncology services and improve cancer care standards across the region.
In addition, the centre also offers a B.Sc. Radiotherapy Technology program, aimed at training skilled radiation therapy technologists who play a crucial role in the safe and accurate delivery of radiation treatment. The program combines strong theoretical knowledge with hands-on training in modern radiotherapy equipment and treatment planning systems, enabling students to develop expertise in patient positioning, radiation safety, and advanced radiotherapy procedures while supporting oncologists in delivering high-quality cancer care.
