DistantNews
Doctors in Rijeka Succeed Where No One Else in Croatia Has: 'Fast' Breast Cancer Radiation Method Arrives, Waiting Lists
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Health & Science

Doctors in Rijeka Succeed Where No One Else in Croatia Has: 'Fast' Breast Cancer Radiation Method Arrives, Waiting Lists Become History

From Veฤernji List · (1h ago) Croatian Positive tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Rijeka's KBC hospital has become the first public institution in Croatia to implement the FAST-forward protocol for breast cancer radiation therapy.
  • This advanced method significantly shortens treatment from weeks to just five days, aiming to destroy tumor cells while preserving healthy tissue.
  • The implementation is expected to improve patient quality of life, reduce waiting lists, and increase treatment accessibility, aligning with modern oncology standards.

In a significant leap forward for oncological care in Croatia, the Clinical Hospital Center (KBC) in Rijeka has pioneered the adoption of the FAST-forward protocol for breast cancer radiotherapy. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first time a public institution in the country has implemented this ultra-hypofractionated regimen, drastically reducing treatment duration from weeks to a mere five days.

The implications for patients are profound. This accelerated treatment not only offers comparable efficacy and safety to traditional methods but also boasts a potentially lower incidence of side effects. By minimizing the time patients spend undergoing radiation, the FAST-forward protocol significantly enhances their quality of life during what is already a challenging period. This aligns with global trends towards more efficient, patient-centered cancer care.

Today, women with breast cancer can finish radiotherapy in just five days, with equal effectiveness and safety and even slightly lower incidence of side effects.

โ€” Prof. Alemka Brnฤiฤ‡-Fischer, Director of KBC RijekaHighlighting the benefits of the FAST-forward protocol

From a Croatian perspective, this development is a source of considerable pride. It demonstrates the nation's commitment to integrating cutting-edge medical technologies and improving healthcare outcomes. The successful implementation, funded in part by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, signifies a crucial step in modernizing the country's healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that Croatian patients receive world-class treatment. The reduction in waiting lists and increased accessibility are particularly vital, addressing long-standing challenges within the public health system and positioning Croatia among leading European centers for oncology.

FAST-Forward protocol is an ultra-hypofractionated protocol for breast cancer radiotherapy indicated for selected patients with early-stage breast cancer after surgical treatment, in whom radiotherapy can be safely performed according to modern professional guidelines with a total radiation dose of 26 Gy divided into only 5 daily fractions over 5 days.

Defining the FAST-forward protocol
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog