Latest news with #radiationoncology
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kettering Health announces parts coming back online after less than a week
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Less than a week after a cyberattack knocked much of its services offline, some parts of Kettering Health are coming back sooner than expected. The health care provider announced Monday that its Radiation Oncology equipment was back online just five days after the attack on May 20. 'We were able to get back online within five days of this event starting so we are now treating patients who had active radiotherapy plans again,' Dr. Anthony Paravati, radiation oncologist. 'Really kind folks': NATO delegates leaving Dayton with appreciation of city's role 'This is Memorial Day weekend. They are sacrificing time off, sacrificing time with their family for our patients, for the mission.' During a media briefing Friday, a representative for Kettering Health said experts they had consulted with had estimated a time frame of 10-21 days to bring things back online. 'We're on Day Three,' said John Weimer, the senior vice president and leader for Incident Command. One of the Radiation Oncology staff labeled the rabid restoration 'amazing.' 'You've got hundreds of people working around the clock, and to have even one linear accelerator, and then two and then three, and then everything up, is an amazing feat,' said technical physicist Christopher Wennerstrom. 'The team is literally doing everything possible can do to get what's best for these patients done,' Sarah Macke, radiation oncologist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kettering Health continues to restore services almost week after cyberattack
Kettering Health has announced that it's Radiation Oncology technology is back online almost a week after a cyberattack caused a system-wide outage. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In an update on social media, Kettering Health said this technology only took five days to come back online, despite it usually taking weeks. >> RELATED: Kettering Health officials acknowledge impacts of cyber attack are 'extremely frustrating' TRENDING STORIES: Kettering Health CEO says disruption from cyberattack could last '10 to 20 days' Police officer caught partying at festival while collecting $600K for fake injury, officials say Founding member of popular Dayton band feared dead in California plane crash The cyberattack occurred on May 20 after there was unauthorized access to it's network, according to a previous News Center 7 report. The system-wide outage caused 'a number of challenges' for the network's medical centers. Over the weekend, the network said it's emergency departments, on-demand care, and urgent care locations remain open. As previously reported by News Center 7, a Kettering Health spokesperson said on Friday that elective procedures are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis and they are working to place a limit on diversions from emergency departments. A temporary phone line was also created 'for patients with urgent clinical questions.' Kettering Health's CEO said that the outage could range from 10 to 20 days to be resolved. For the latest information on the hospital network's system-wide technology outage, click here. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
News24
20-05-2025
- Health
- News24
Dr Louisa Dlamini makes history as UP's first black radiation oncology graduate
Dlamini earned a master of medicine degree, a medical specialty that utilises high-energy radiation such as X-rays and cancer treatment. The Mabopane-born doctor says her achievement is a 'generational victory'. She plans to expand access to oncology services in underserved communities. In a profession where representation still lags far behind, Dr Louisa Dlamini has shattered the glass ceiling in specialist medical field. This month, the 36-year-old mother of three from Mabopane in Pretoria made history as the first black graduate with a master of medicine in radiation oncology degree from the University of Pretoria. Her groundbreaking achievement is not just a personal milestone, it's a moment loaded with historical, cultural and generational weight. Dlamini said: This has been more than just ticking a box. It's a generational victory, a moment that represents hope, perseverance and the strength of those who came before me. Being the 'first' carries pressure, the pressure to excel and justify your presence. But it also means opening the door for those who will follow. Raised under difficult socioeconomic conditions, Dlamini's dream of becoming a doctor once felt far out of reach. But she never wavered in her determination. Inspired by her uncle, Dr Mandla Mdawe, the first medical professional in her family, she carved her path with laser focus, completing her bachelor of medicine, bachelor of surgery degree at Wits University. From the outset, her passion was clear: medicine was not just a job, it was a calling. 'I've always been passionate about working with vulnerable people,' she said. 'I knew medicine would be a fulfilling career for me.' Her moment of clarity came when she worked as a medical officer at a district hospital. Daily faced with cases of untreated or late-diagnosed cancers and watching patients slip through the cracks, she realised how inaccessible cancer treatment was in underserved communities. She said: I saw the critical need for oncology services. Patients were dying, some in urgent need of cancer treatment. That's when I realised just how limited access to oncology is in black communities. Her experiences on the front lines sparked a desire to specialise. After working in medical oncology, she took on the challenge of studying radiation oncology, a highly technical, intellectually demanding field that remains underrepresented by black professionals in South Africa. 'Oncology is a broad, ever-changing and progressive field. That excites me, because it means I'll be learning throughout my career,' Dlamini said. Enrolling in the programme at the University of Pretoria was a great leap, one that came with enormous responsibility. Dlamini faced the dual pressure of academic excellence and symbolic representation, all while juggling her roles as a mother, daughter and mentor. She recalled: There were moments when I felt like giving up. There were times I wondered if I really belonged. But I kept pushing because I knew this journey wasn't just for me. With support from her parents, siblings and daughters, her supervisor, Dr Sheynaz Bassa, helped her stay the course. The academic environment at the University of Pretoria, she said, offered intellectual stimulation and a community that carried her through the hardest moments. Now, with her degree in hand, Dlamini is not only looking ahead to a career of treating patients, but also to changing lives in and beyond the hospital. She is passionate about expanding access to oncology services in rural areas and township communities. Dlamini is developing ideas for community-based cancer awareness programmes focused on prevention, early detection and treatment literacy. Her approach to medicine is people-first, holistic and deeply rooted in her lived experiences. 'I want to support other [medical] students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to show them that they too can make it,' she said. To young black South Africans dreaming of a future in medicine, her message is unwavering: You belong. You carry the strength of generations behind you. Don't wait for permission to take up space, make space. Surround yourself with those who uplift you and remember to uplift others as you rise. As her achievement is being celebrated across the medical community, Dlamini is planning for what comes next. 'I may be the first, but I definitely won't be the last. This achievement proves that excellence exists beyond the systems that once excluded us. It's time to shift the narrative.'
Medscape
12-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Oral Cavity Cancer: Omitting Neck RT Safe in Some Patients
In patients with early-stage oral cavity carcinoma and a low risk for regional recurrence, omitting elective neck irradiation during postoperative radiotherapy was associated with low rates of regional failure and good locoregional control, according to the results of a recent multicenter study. METHODOLOGY: Elective nodal irradiation is standard in postoperative radiotherapy in patients with oral cavity carcinoma but may expose patients to unnecessary toxicity, particularly when the risk for regional recurrence is low. Researchers analyzed outcomes from 264 patients from 12 Dutch radiotherapy centers between 2010 and 2019, who had undergone surgery with en bloc neck dissection and had pathologically node-negative (pN0) necks. Patients received postoperative radiotherapy either to the primary tumor only (n = 118) or to the primary tumor bed and neck (n = 146). Radiation doses varied based on margin status and risk factors. The primary endpoint was regional failure. Secondary endpoints were local failure, overall survival, and late toxicity (> 3 months posttreatment). TAKEAWAY: Overall, nine regional recurrences (3.4%) occurred — four (3.39%) in the tumor bed–only group and five (3.42%) in the combined tumor and neck irradiation group. After a median follow-up of 5 years, the 5-year regional control rate was 96% in both groups. Lymph node yield from neck dissection was the only factor associated with improved regional control (hazard ratio, 0.46). Regional recurrences were mostly isolated. Local control at 5 years was also similar at 92% with tumor bed–only radiotherapy compared with 91% with combined tumor and neck irradiation. Overall survival at 5 years was 80% with tumor bed–only radiotherapy and 78% with the combination. The incidence of developing a second primary tumor was not significantly different between the two groups (16% vs 12%, respectively; P > .05). .05). Late toxicity was significantly higher among patients in the combination group. Grades 2-3 dry mouth was observed in 31% of those who received neck irradiation compared with 15% in those who did not (odds ratio [OR], 4.93). Similarly, grades 2-3 swallowing difficulties occurred in significantly more patients who underwent neck irradiation — 61% vs 19% of patients (OR, 5.29). IN PRACTICE: 'The study showed that patients irradiated to the primary tumor bed only had the same excellent regional control compared to those irradiated to the primary tumor bed and the operated neck site, with significantly lower incidence of late grade 2-3 xerostomia and dysphagia,' the authors wrote. 'Elective irradiation of the pN0 neck can safely be omitted following local resection with en bloc neck dissection in [oral cavity carcinoma] patients who require adjuvant radiotherapy to the primary tumor bed only based on local pathological risk factors,' they added. SOURCE: The study, led by B. Kreike, Radiotherapiegroep, Arnhem, the Netherlands, was published online in Radiotherapy and Oncology . LIMITATIONS: Limitations included retrospective design and a low number of regional recurrence events. Additionally, variability in toxicity reporting could have influenced results. DISCLOSURES: The authors did not declare any funding information and reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.
News24
08-05-2025
- Health
- News24
Forceful ruling in Gauteng cancer case has far-reaching implications
A new ruling against the Gauteng Department of Health makes use of a supervisory interdict. This sets a precedent for future cases, empowering courts to step in when government entities fail to fulfil their constitutional duties, write Helen Michael, Slade van Rooyen and Farah Yassin of Werksmans Attorneys. For more financial news, visit the News24 Business front page. In a decisive move that underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding constitutional rights, the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court, Johannesburg, recently issued an urgent interim relief order against the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH). This order, stemming from the case of Cancer Alliance v Member of Executive Council for Health Gauteng Province and Others, mandated the GDoH to immediately formulate and implement a plan to address the growing backlog in radiation oncology services at two of its key hospitals. This ruling isn't merely a legal decision; it's a stark reminder of the critical intersection between public administration, budgetary allocation, and the fundamental right to healthcare. The heart of the issue lay in the GDoH's apparent failure to utilise allocated funds effectively. In March 2023, the Gauteng Provincial Treasury earmarked R784 million to bolster surgical and radiation oncology services, with a significant R250 million specifically designated for outsourcing radiation oncology. Shockingly, these designated funds for outsourcing were not used and were eventually returned to the Treasury at the end of the fiscal year. This inaction became the focal point for Cancer Alliance, a collective of non-profit organisations and advocates who brought the matter to court. They argued that the GDoH's dereliction not only squandered allocated resources, but also directly violated several constitutional provisions. The case brought to the forefront critical constitutional sections that underpin the state's responsibility to its citizens. Section 7(2) mandates the state to protect and fulfil the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, while section 27 assures everyone the right to access healthcare services. Additionally, the argument hinged on section 33, which ensures just administrative action, and section 195(1), which outlines principles for efficient public administration, including the prudent use of resources. Cancer Alliance contended that the GDoH's inaction breached all these sections, leading to a severe crisis in cancer care. Forceful The court's judgment was forceful and unambiguous. It recognised the urgent need for intervention, noting the grave circumstances where patients were 'deprived of radiation oncological treatment for so long that repeated surgeries and repeated chemotherapy virtually became routine and early death at times became inevitable.' This observation drove home the devastating real-world impact of administrative delays and bureaucratic missteps. The judge found that the GDoH had unjustifiably ignored the patients' right to receive outsourced radiation oncology, especially when funds had been specifically allocated for that purpose. Furthermore, the GDoH had sidestepped attempts by Cancer Alliance to engage in discussions about the tender process and to follow established regulatory procedures. This lack of engagement was seen as a direct violation of section 195 of the Constitution, which emphasises accountability and transparency in public administration. Van Nieuwenhuizen AJ, who presided over the case, was particularly critical of the GDoH's lack of accountability. He highlighted the failure to maintain professional ethics, promote efficient use of resources, provide services impartially, and respond to patients' needs adequately. The court emphasised the gravity of the situation, noting that the patients on the backlog list were facing life-threatening illnesses. Without timely treatment, their health would inevitably deteriorate, potentially leading to premature deaths. This scenario, according to the court, constituted actual and ongoing irreparable harm, demanding immediate action. The GDoH's argument that the issues would be addressed in a future review application was dismissed as 'insensitive and dismissive' of the patients' suffering. Ultimately, the court held that a 'compelling need' existed to ensure the GDoH was held accountable. It found that officials within the department had essentially acted independently, failing to recognise their obligation to the public interest. To rectify this, the court issued a supervisory interdict, effectively forcing the GDoH to take concrete steps. Within 45 days, the department was ordered to update the backlog list of cancer patients awaiting radiation oncology. It was also mandated to take all necessary actions to provide these services at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Finally, the GDoH must submit a report within three months detailing the steps taken and outlining a long-term plan for providing radiation oncology services. This ruling has far-reaching implications. Firstly, it reinforces the state's undeniable constitutional obligation to provide access to healthcare. The judgment makes it clear that merely allocating funds is insufficient; the state must actively ensure those funds are used to deliver essential services. Secondly, it shines a light on the critical importance of accountability and transparency in public administration. The court's findings underscore that delays and inefficiencies in processes like tendering can have life-or-death consequences. Lastly, the use of a supervisory interdict sets a precedent for future cases. It empowers courts to step in when government entities fail to fulfil their constitutional duties, providing a powerful tool for ensuring compliance and safeguarding citizens' rights. Powerful reminder In conclusion, the Cancer Alliance case is more than just a legal victory; it's a powerful reminder of the human element in public service. It reasserts the vital role of the judiciary in ensuring that the state meets its constitutional obligations, particularly in areas as fundamental as healthcare. It stands as a crucial checkpoint for how public resources are managed and highlights that inaction has a cost – often a human one. The judgment underscores that administrative functions must be carried out with ethical integrity, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to the needs of the public they serve. This week, the Gauteng health department announced that it would appeal the ruling. Helen Michael is a director, while Slade van Rooyen and Farah Yassin are candidate attorneys at Werksmans Attorneys.
