Roraima Radiotherapy Center serves 25 patients undergoing cancer treatment through SUS

The first Radiotherapy Center in Roraima began treating 25 cancer patients, according to the Government of Roraima. The unit operates at the General Hospital of Roraima Rubens de Souza Bento and offers care through the Unified Health System (SUS), in Boa Vista.

Understand🔎: Radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. With the center, opened on October 14th, this treatment can now be carried out in the state, without the need to travel to other states.

Patients who were previously sent to other states through the Treatment Out of Home (TFD) program can now be treated in Roraima and have priority at this point, according to the government. The unit will gradually expand service to other patients in the state.

In addition to the 25 in treatment, one patient has already completed the sessions. Another 40 are in the planning phase, the stage before starting treatment, and 20 are awaiting treatment, according to Sesau.

First patient

This Tuesday (10), patient Simone Leal, 48 years old, was the first to complete treatment at the Center. She rang the bell that marks the end of the sessions, a tradition in cancer care centers.

Simone discovered breast cancer in September 2025, after a mammogram. She underwent surgery and was referred to radiotherapy, which began on October 14 of this year, at the Center. Simone held the sessions close to her children, husband and grandchildren.

"Today is my last session and everything went well. Just staying here, in my condition, with my family, in my home, is priceless", said the patient.

How the treatment works

Care begins with the patient being referred by an oncologist, a cancer specialist. At the Center, a radiotherapist analyzes the case and orders the necessary tests.

A tomography generates three-dimensional images of the region of the body that will receive radiation. With them, the team plans the treatment of each patient.

Afterwards, the patient begins sessions in the linear accelerator, equipment that produces radiation. The duration varies depending on the type of cancer, the patient's health condition and the technique indicated. Protocols can include sessions over 5, 15, 20 or even 30 business days.

What the Center offers

The Center has a linear accelerator and offers four techniques: three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy and brachytherapy, a technique in which radiation is applied close to the tumor.

The choice of technique depends on the type and stage of the cancer. The objective is to direct radiation to the treated region and preserve healthy tissues.

According to the government, the Center has three screening offices, a dressing room, a recovery room and a shielded room for the linear accelerator. The structure also includes a control room, planning and medical physics areas.

The team has 12 professionals: two radiotherapists, two medical physicists and eight radiotherapy technicians. Everyone underwent radiation protection training and training before the start of care.