First patients receive radiotherapy at Health City’s Oncology Centre

(CMR) It was a historic moment in Cayman's healthcare last week when the first five cancer patients received life-saving radiation treatment at Health City’s Radiation Oncology Centre in Camana Bay on May 17. This is the first time residents are able to access state-of-the-art cancer services without having to travel overseas.

Led by Radiation Oncologist Dr. Vikas Roshan, the oncology team administered two radio surgeries and other higher-end techniques like VMAT (Volume Modulated Arc Therapy). The patients, three women and two men ranging in age from mid-40s to late 70s received treatment via a Siemens TruBeam Varian Linear Accelerator at the first-of-its-kind facility, which is one of the most advanced in the region.

Dr. Vikas was beaming with excitement at treating the first patients. He said:

“It gives us immense pleasure to introduce all the latest techniques of radiotherapy here in the Cayman Islands. I am happy to share that we started with two radio surgeries on the first day and delivered the treatment uneventfully. Other patients received radiation with different higher-end radiation techniques like VMAT, enabling us to deliver treatment effectively and quickly. The facility of onboard imaging helped us pinpoint the tumours with precision and accuracy.”

He further shared that the patients were pleased with their experience.

“We received good feedback from them. They loved the staff and the fact that each session took approximately 15 minutes. This meant they could continue with their day afterward,” he stated.

Over time, the Radiation Oncology Centre will roll out additional services, including External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT), 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). Special services such as Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT), and Total Body Irradiation (TBI) will also be offered, as well as Brachytherapy Services.

Chief Business Officer Shomari Scott noted, “It’s a historic day for Health City and the Cayman Islands. We are happy that our people can stay home for advanced cancer treatment with the outstanding healthcare resource that is the Radiation Oncology Centre. We look forward to continuing to provide this and other services and for more lives to be saved.” 

Health City’s Radiation Oncology Centre is the first phase of the 70,000-square-foot modern, state-of-the-art medical facility being built on three acres of land in southern Camana Bay, at a cost of US$100 million. It will be officially named the Gene Thompson Radiotherapy  Centre in homage to the late developer and entrepreneur, who was instrumental in establishing Health City.

Upon completion, Health City Camana Bay will feature several medical specialties not currently available in the Cayman Islands. Key among those will be a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), an emergency pavilion and critical care unit, and a robust multispecialty program that includes robotic surgery. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2024.