JEDDAH, 16 December 2003 — A new locally-developed device for treating cancer is said to significantly reduce radiation reactions and cut drug costs by 70 percent.
The device is being piloted at King Abdul Aziz Medical City’s Princess Norah Oncology Center (PNOC).
“It has been developed by our team of specialists,” Professor Kamal Malaker, chairman of the center and head of radiation oncology, said yesterday.
Cancer treatment has always been associated with some side effects. Radiotherapy, for example, frequently produces nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and weight as well as hair loss. These can be very severe and cause considerable suffering to patients. In a bid to reduce these effects, the center’s specialists have developed a device called PNOC’s Gravity-Assisted Gut Displacement Device.
“It considerably reduces both acute and delayed side effects of radiation on the intestines,” said Professor Malaker, who designed the device in cooperation with Dr. Henry Weatherburn, head of medical physics, and William Grush and Val Antoff of the department of radiotherapy.
“The device has been in use at the center for nearly a year and many patients have benefited from it,” he said. Professor Malaker said the device is also being used outside the Kingdom.
National Guard Health Affairs CEO Dr. Fahd Abdul Jaber and Deputy CEO Dr. Abdullah Rabeeah, who head the two-year-old PNOC, have introduced a program to offer consultation and education on cancer in Madinah, Taif, Baha, Tabuk, Najran, Jizan and other cities.
“Now in its third year, the PNOC expects to deal with some 1,200 cancer patients, a four-fold increase from 300 patients in its first year,” Professor Malaker said.
