Radiation Oncology (ICON)

Icon Wahroonga offers cutting-edge radiation therapy treatment for all cancer types. Available clinical treatments include:

• Varian Ethos™ therapy – game-changing radiation therapy that personalises cancer care using Adaptive Intelligence™. In an Australian-first, clinicians can now plan and deliver radiation therapy treatments with a new level of accuracy.
• Ethos™ therapy enables monitoring of patient’s internal and external anatomy, such as the shifting of organs or any slight changes in the size or shape of the targeted cancer, accounts for these movements and allows clinicians to change dose and delivery at every treatment session.
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) – An advanced technique used to treat small, well-defined tumours, or high risk postoperative areas (also referred to as Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR).
• Deep inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) – A technique for left-sided breast cancer patients that reduces the potential impact of radiation on the heart.
• Brachytherapy (Low Dose Rate and High Dose Rate) – A special form of internal radiation therapy where a radioactive source is placed beside or inside the tumour to deliver radiation to small areas over a period of time.
• Skin Brachytherapy – A non invasive treatment for early skin cancers that can be an effective alternative to surgery
• Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) – Targets more difficult tumours (such as tumours wrapped around other important structures), while minimising the impact to healthy surrounding tissue.
• 3D Conformal Radiotherapy – Use of 3D imaging to target tumours with precision.
• Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) – Pinpoint precision radiation therapy delivered with greater speed and accuracy, and reduced toxicities to healthy tissue.
• Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) – Use of advanced imaging equipment and computer software to precisely target a tumour with radiation beams.

A referral is required from your GP or Specialist for your initial consultation.

All radiation therapy services are covered under Medicare, with 80-90% of treatment costs reimbursed. Private health insurance is not required.

There is an even greater Medicare rebate if you’ve reached your Medicare Safety Net threshold, making your our-of-pocket costs much less. The Medicare Safety Net threshold applies to individuals and families, so you must be registered to receive Safety Net benefits.

Most radiation therapy can be delivered on an outpatient basis. Patients with private health insurance should be aware Private Health Funds only reimburse part of the costs if the patient is admitted to hospital for the duration of the treatment.

Eligible Repatriation Health Card holders may not be charged for consultation or treatment as fees may be paid for by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.