Reggio Calabria hospital introduces Total Body Irradiation for transplant patients

The Grande Ospedale Metropolitano ‘Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli’ in Reggio Calabria has introduced Total Body Irradiation (TBI) to its therapeutic offerings for patients with onco-hematological pathologies. This radiotherapy technique is a critical component of conditioning protocols for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplants.

TBI involves irradiating the patient's entire body to serve a dual clinical purpose: suppressing the recipient's immune system to prevent the rejection of donor stem cells and helping to eradicate residual neoplastic cells following chemotherapy. The implementation of this service is a collaborative effort between the Oncology Radiotherapy Unit, the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, the Health Physics Unit, and the post-operative therapy department. This advancement allows patients in the Calabria region to access essential pre-transplant treatments locally, reducing the need to travel to facilities outside the region.