1400 square meters in the Prenestino district with an investment of over 9 million euros. Two latest generation accelerators and a Tac with breath control. More attention to the reception, well-being and privacy of patients.
Rome, 21 October 2019 - Obtaining greater efficacy in cancer treatments from the synergy between deep hyperthermia, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With this objective it enters into operation at the oncological radiotherapy center in via Emilio Longoni of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma a system of deep hyperthermia for the treatment of tumors able to optimize the response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The machine, tested with beneficial effects on numerous tumors that affect large sections of the population such as (data from cancer numbers, 2019): sarcomas, prostate (the most frequent tumor in the male population from the age of 50), pancreas (in Italy in 2019 the forecast is 13.500 new cases, 6.800 in men and 6.700 in women), colorectal (the second most common cancer in Italy), but also cancers of head and neck, breast (represents 30% of female neoplasms) and the pelvis, was inaugurated today at the renovated oncological radiotherapy center located in the Prenestino district of the capital.
The Councilor for Health and Socio-health Integration of the Lazio Region took part in the inauguration of the structure, Alessio D'Amato, the health director of ASL Roma2 Marina Cerimele, together with the highest authorities of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, including the president Felice Barela and the general director of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital, Paolo Sormani.
The oncological radiotherapy center in via Emilio Longoni, also renovated in the spaces dedicated to patients, is a structure fully affiliated with the National Health Service which occupies an area of approx 1400 square meters and guarantees more 90 thousand annual benefits with services intended for a catchment area in the regions of Central-Southern Italy, as well as Rome and Lazio.
The flagship of the Polo is the deep hyperthermia system which thanks to the use of specific electromagnetic frequencies is able to modulate the distribution of heat with high precision based on the size and location of the tumor enhancing the effectiveness of loco-regional (radiotherapy) and systemic (chemotherapy) treatments thanks to the deep heating of the treated tissues.
In particular the selective raising of the temperature, stimulates the dilation of blood vessels, reduces poorly oxygenated tumor areas, inhibits the ability of tumor cells to repair the damage suffered, making the action of radiotherapy and chemotherapy even more effective. Heat is also capable of stimulating one anti-tumor immune response through the expression of surface receptors and the secretion of specific proteins that allow the immune system to recognize tumor cells and attack them.
An enhancement of efficacy that occurs without increasing toxicity and other side effects on the patient's healthy tissues and organs, as well as being a system painless and non-invasive and can also be used for long-term care.
In Italy every day approx 1.000 people are newly diagnosed with malignancy. Profound hyperthermia is used at any stage of the disease and on patients of all ages. Each session lasts about an hour and is performed in agreement with the National Health Service.
To underline the value of the innovation introduced in the offer of Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital it was the prof. Lucio Trodella, director of the UOC of Oncological Radiotherapy: “We are the first in Italy to be equipped with a precision machinery that has hitherto been widespread mainly in northern European countries and the American continent. By heating the tumor to 40-45 °C we can induce damage to the tumor cells that leads to their death. Another strong point is its ability to make the affected cells much more sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, improving the therapeutic index without increasing the toxicity for the patient”.
The president of 'Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Felice Barela, recalled how the growth of the Via Longoni campus is an integral part of the development process of the Academy and the Polyclinic: “The University was born in this neighborhood in 1993 and operated here until 2008, before moving to the Trigoria headquarters. Over the years, the center in via Longoni has remained a point of reference inside and outside Lazio and an element of strength in the area's health offering. Being here together with the highest representatives of the Lazio Region means remembering the commitment made to date by all the staff and, for the future, confirming the mission ofUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma for health and for care that is attentive to people's needs".
“Technology and scientific progress every day help us to intervene with increasingly targeted and less invasive therapies, improving the effects and quality of care for our patients – commented the Councilor for Health and Social and Healthcare Integration of the Lazio Region Alessio D'Amato – Thanks to this innovative machine it will be possible to fight tumors through the use of heat while maintaining low toxicity and limiting side effects. An important investment to strengthen the radiotherapy oncology center of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma".
To underline the choice of an offer rich in advanced technologies and attention to the patient was Paolo Sormani, general manager of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital. “We wanted to invest heavily in the new oncological radiotherapy center in via Longoni, both in terms of technological equipment and in terms of the well-being of those in need of treatment. With the opening of the renovated structure, the health offer of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital is further strengthened in the awareness of being a point of reference for all of Central-Southern Italy. We do it with a modern vision, aware that radiotherapy has now reached levels of precision such as to be a central specialty in the treatment of numerous pathologies. This is why we believe that our investment, as well as in technologies, is an investment in public health throughout the territory".
In the last year of activity, the Polo in via Emilio Longoni followed over 700 new patients and has always represented a point of reference in treatments for central-southern Italy and for the eastern area of the capital. A investment of over 9 million euros has made it possible to return to the territory a welcoming and efficient oncological radiotherapy center capable of assist more than 150 people a day between first visit patients, therapy pathways and follow-up controls, all in agreement with the NHS.
Among the other tools available to the Center are: i two linear accelerators latest generation with three-dimensional reconstruction of the tumor volume and the Tac with dynamic breathing control, characterized by a circular structure with a width of 80 centimeters to guarantee high comfort for the patient. A piece of equipment that uses respiratory gating techniques that follow the movement of the patient during breathing and reduce the exposure of healthy tissue to radiation.
In addition to lung cancer that is affected by respiratory movements, respiratory gating is particularly useful in the treatment of women with left breast cancer, reducing to zero radiation exposure to the heart.
The Polo in via Longoni was renewed with the well-being of patients in mind, with innovations also on the reception front: the user has pleasant and large spaces available, with attention to detail and with a system of respectful acceptance and acknowledgment of people's privacy and sensitivities. To complete the services present is a large outdoor space for parking which allows users to reach the Center by car in immediate connection with the Grande Raccordo Anulare (exit 14).
