CYPRUS - Milestones in Oncology

Written by G. Christodoulides and N. Katodritis

 1937

Radium needles were used at the Nicosia General Hospital for intraoperative applications. The radium needles were stored in a 30m deep hole drilled in the grounds of the Nicosia General Hospital, and raised by rope in a bucket. The first patient treated was a 9 year old girl from Famagusta for Gingiva Hyperplasia.

 

1956

The first Deep X-Ray Therapy Unit ( Siemens) was installed in a private Radiology practice of Dr. Pavlides in Limassol, offering external radiotherapy with operating voltage in the range 50 to 200 kV.

 

 1965

The first Radiotherapy Department was established at the Nicosia General Hospital and offered radiation treatments with a Cobalt-60 unit (Picker 1900 curie source). Dr. D. Souliotis, was the first Radiation Oncologist in Cyprus

 

 1969

The first Medical Physics department in Cyprus was established by Dr A. Costeas (Ph.D. in Biophysics) at the Nicosia General Hospital in 1969. The first two M.Sc. level medical physicists, Mrs. M. Angelidou and Mr. G. Christodoulides, joined this Department.

 

1970

Dr H.Soteriou was appointed as the first woman Clinical Oncologist at Nicosia General Hospital. After the death of Dr Souliotis Dr Soteriou was the Head of the Oncology Depart and worked for almost 15 years.

 

1971

Establishment of Cyprus Anticancer Society, a non-government, non-profitable volunteer organization offering palliative care services.

 

1972 - 1998

A manual Afterloading Brachytherapy system, with Caesium-137 sources, started being used for intracavitary applications for gynecological cancer at the Makarios III Hospital in Nicosia

 

1973

A mould room was built and Mr S. Constantas was appointed as mould room technician. Immobilisation shells, wax moulds and prosthesis were individually made.

 

1975 - 2002

A second Cobalt-60 unit ( Theratron 7200 curie activity ) was installed.

 

 1976

Anticancer Society operated the hospice “Arodaphnousa”, offering palliative services for in-patients.

 

 1985 - 1995

Dr. H. Soteriou, Clinical Oncologist, created a private Radiotherapy Centre with a Cobalt-60 unit (Shimadzu 3500 curie source). This was operated until the end of 1995.

 

1986

Establishment of Pancyprian Society of Cancer Patients and Friends, “PASYKAF”, non-government, a non-profitable volunteer organization, offering mainly home care palliative services.

 

1988

Dr A. Adamou was appointed as the first Medical Oncologist in Clinical Oncology Department at Nicosia General Hospital.

 

1990

The Cyprus Anticancer Society donated a Multidata 2D Treatment Planning system. The time consuming treatment plans that were done by hand were done and optimized by the computerized 2D system, from this time on.

 

 

 1992 – 2002

The old Cobalt-60 unit was replaced with an ATC unit 3500 curie activity source.

 

 1993

Treatments with radioactive Iodine -131 were offered at a specially designed room at a private clinic in Nicosia.

 

 1995

The Superficial X-Ray unit was replaced, with a new Pantak unit offering radiation treatments with generating voltage between 50 to 225 kV.

 

1996 – 1998

A Siemens Stabilipan 300 X-Ray unit was operated by Dr. N. Katodritis, Radiation Oncologist, privately in Limassol, offering mainly superficial radiotherapy treatments.

 

1998

In September 1998, the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre (BOCOC) started operations in Nicosia, offering both medical and radiation oncology services. Installation of high tech radiotherapy equipment such as 2 Linear Accelerators (LINAC), HDR Brachytherapy and 3D Treatment Planning system.

 

2000

First time in Cyprus cancer site specialties were established at BOCOC.

 

2000

Establishment of Europa Dona Cyprus, member of the European Organization Europa Dona, an advocacy movement for the fight against breast cancer.

 

2002

Establishment of the Cyprus Oncology Society, a scientific body for Oncologists. 

 

2005

The first Multidisciplinary Team Conference (MDT) concerning “Lung and Thoracic Malignancies” was established at BOCOC. MDT’s were gradually expanded to all main cancer sites.

 

2007

BOCOC as first hospital in Cyprus and Greece was accredited by the audit organization HQS.

 

2007

Establishment of Europa UOMO Cyprus, member of the European Organization Europa UOMO, an advocacy movement for the fight against prostate cancer.

 

2009

The 3rd LINAC was installed at BOCOC.

 

2010

The Council of Ministers has appointed a National Committee against Cancer in order to prepare a National Strategy against Cancer.

 

2011

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) technique was used firstly for prostate cancer. IMRT was gradually applied to all anatomical regions. 

 

2017
In August 2017, the general assembly of the Cyprus Oncology Society decided to re-establish the Society as a Union with the name “Cyprus Oncology Society” according to the instructions of the superintendent of unions.

 

2017

In October 2017, the German Oncology Centre (GOC) started operations in Limassol, offering both medical and radiation oncology services. Installation of high tech equipment such as 2 Linear Accelerators, HDR-Brachytherapy, advanced Treatment Planning system, in house MRI and PET/CT scan.

 

 

 

2017

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) was offered at GOC.

 

2019

In June 2019, the establishment of National Health System (GeSY) offering free of charge outpatient services to the people of Cyprus.

 

2020
In June 2020, GeSY offered full services (in and outpatient) including oncology services.

 

CYPRUS_History_Cancer_Therapy_Summary.pdf