West Africa Records First Stereotactic Radiotherapy For Lung Cancer Treatment

West Africa has recorded its first use of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer, marking a notable step in the region’s growing capacity to deliver advanced specialist healthcare locally.

SBRT is an advanced form of radiotherapy that delivers high-dose, highly targeted radiation to tumours with surgical-level precision, while avoiding invasive surgery.

The procedure was carried out at the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, less than six months after the facility began operations

The pioneering treatment involved an elderly patient with a localised lung tumour and was delivered using sophisticated imaging, real-time motion tracking and personalised radiation planning. The development reflects gradual progress in access to complex oncology services within West Africa, where such treatments have traditionally required overseas referral.

The SBRT milestone comes alongside other advances in specialist care at the centre, including the completion of its first open-heart surgery, a triple coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), highlighting expanding capabilities in both oncology and cardiovascular medicine.

AMCE was developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London as part of efforts to address long-standing gaps in Africa’s specialist healthcare infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, said “Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment represents a defining moment for AMCE and for healthcare on the continent. These milestones reflect the exceptional skill and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that patients can access the most advanced cancer and cardiac care right here in Africa.

“With our oncology systems, Cath labs, and theatres fully operational, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality treatment and enabling people to receive life-saving care close to home. Our commitment remains steadfast: to invest in our people, technology, and infrastructure so that Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”

The Chief Medical Officer, AMCE, Dr. Aisha Umar, said the centre is attracting international patients, driven largely by significantly lower treatment costs compared to traditional medical tourism destinations.

She said the facility has treated patients from different countries, including visitors who were in Nigeria for United Nations meetings, embassy engagements, and international medical conferences. She noted that exposure from frequent international conferences hosted in the country has contributed to growing awareness of available high-level medical services.

Dr. Umar explained that the cost of comparable specialist care in Nigeria is less than half of what patients would typically pay in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States or Dubai. She added that patients and their families also avoid additional expenses associated with overseas travel, including flight tickets, hotel accommodation, and extended stays abroad.

According to her, treatment costs are structured around local pricing realities, making services more accessible to Nigerians while remaining attractive to foreign patients seeking quality care at reduced cost.

The Managing Director of Export Development, Afreximbank, Oluranti Doherty, said “AMCE’s successful delivery of its first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment demonstrates the transformative impact of Afreximbank’s investment in world-class medical infrastructure. These achievements show what is possible when we build capacity locally, reducing the continent’s dependence on outbound medical tourism, retaining vital clinical expertise, and strengthening Africa’s broader health ecosystem.”