Brachytherapy News and Research

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Brachytherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the use of radioactive seeds the size of rice grains. Brachytherapy, an out-patient procedure, usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to perform. Most patients can return to their normal activities within days. The success rates of prostate brachytherapy have compared favorably with success rates of radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation. In comparison studies, prostate brachytherapy has shown to have a favorable side effect profile when compared with other modalities. Clinical studies have shown that prostate brachytherapy has a cure rate of 94% for appropriately selected patients.

Surprising life-quality benefit from early prostate cancer treatment

Treatment of early-stage prostate cancer may also improve quality of life if patients have previously suffered from obstructive urinary symptoms before undergoing treatment, shows US research.

30 May 2012

Treatment of early stage prostate cancer can also result in improved QOL for men with LUTS

Treatment of early stage prostate cancer can also result in improved quality of life for a subgroup of men who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to an abstract of a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-led study presented to the American Urological Association.

21 May 2012

Breast brachytherapy with strut-based applicator effective for early-stage breast cancer

Breast brachytherapy with a strut-based applicator is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for early-stage breast cancer, according to a multi-site study with a median follow-up of four years. The research was presented as a scientific poster at the European Society for Radiology & Oncology (ESTRO) World Congress of Brachytherapy in Barcelona, May 10-12.

14 May 2012

Analysis stresses importance of multidisciplinary approach to cancer in the elderly

New research showing that almost half of 13,000 patients with head and neck cancers had other health-related problems at the same time is one of the presentations in a special session at the 31st conference of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO 31) today.

14 May 2012

European cancer experts report progress with promising new radiosurgical techniques

European cancer experts have reported their progress with promising new radiosurgical techniques for treating cancer and other conditions using new linear accelerator technology from Varian Medical Systems.

14 May 2012

DIBH can spare hearts and lungs of breast cancer patients from radiation

Respiratory movement during radiotherapy makes it difficult to hit the right treatment target and this in turn can lead to an under-dose of radiation to the tumour, or a potentially toxic over-dose to the surrounding healthy tissue. Getting this right is a real challenge for the radiotherapist, but new techniques are helping to deliver the correct dose to the right place, the 31st conference of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO 31) will hear today.

14 May 2012

Accelerated partial breast irradiation does not compromise survival

Using a concentrated, highly targeted dose of radiation to the breast has equally good results as irradiating the whole area, with no adverse effects on survival and a much better cosmetic outcome, Hungarian researchers have found.

11 May 2012

German and Portuguese hospital first to use iCAD’s Xoft system in Europe

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, announced the first European patients have been treated with the Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System.

11 May 2012

IGABT effective at controlling return and spread of cervical cancer

Delivering radiotherapy directly to cancer of the cervix using 3-D imaging techniques is effective at controlling the return and spread of the disease and, in most cases, avoids the need for hysterectomies, according to research presented at the World Congress of Brachytherapy today.

11 May 2012

Breast brachytherapy with strut-based applicator effective for women with DCIS

Breast brachytherapy with a strut-based applicator appears to be an effective treatment for women who have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, according to a groundbreaking study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, held in Phoenix May 2-4.

8 May 2012

iCAD first quarter total revenue decreases 14% to $6.3 million

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

8 May 2012

iCAD, Breastlink announce agreement to offer Xoft brachytherapy system

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, and Breastlink Medical Group in Southern California, today announced an agreement that will make the Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System available to breast cancer patients treated at Breastlink.

5 May 2012

UCSD radiation oncologist challenges MD Anderson brachytherapy findings

Catheryn Yashar, MD, radiation oncologist at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and a pioneer in breast brachytherapy is available to offer perspective on the effectiveness of breast brachytherapy - a shorter course of radiation treatment for breast cancer.

3 May 2012

Misleading information about breast brachytherapy

One of the leading experts on radiation therapy for breast cancer says a new study in JAMA -- about breast cancer treatment - has misleading information and may unnecessarily deter women from getting breast brachytherapy, a safe and effective treatment.

2 May 2012

APBI, WBI equally effective in preventing local breast cancer recurrence

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) also known as brachytherapy, is equally effective--if not more effective-- in preventing local breast cancer recurrence than Whole Breast Irradiation (WBI), according to a study to be presented this week at the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting.

2 May 2012

Accelerated partial breast irradiation therapy increases risk for subsequent mastectomy

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) brachytherapy, the localized form of radiation therapy growing increasingly popular as a treatment choice for women with early-stage breast cancer, is associated with higher rate of later mastectomy, increased radiation-related toxicities and post-operative complications, compared to traditional whole breast irradiation (WBI), according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

2 May 2012

ESTRO 31 and the World Congress of Brachytherapy to take place from May 9-13

ESTRO 31 and the World Congress of Brachytherapy will combine to feature new research results in clinical and basic radiobiology, physics and brachytherapy, presented by top doctors and scientists from all over the world working together for the benefit of cancer patients.

19 Apr 2012

UCSD Moores Cancer Center expert available to discuss breast brachytherapy

Recent controversy about breast brachytherapy - a shorter course of radiation treatment for breast cancer - has called into question whether the technique is being offered to too many women. New research on an advanced form of brachytherapy is now being reported by UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and 11 other centers in the United States. These studies report highly favorable outcomes for a form of breast brachytherapy called SAVI.

11 Apr 2012

The 31st ESTRO congress and the World Congress of Brachytherapy

5 Apr 2012

Elekta receives clearance to CE mark Agility device

Elekta announced today it has received clearance to CE mark Agility, a revolutionary beam-shaping device integrated into the head of a linear accelerator (linac). Patients and clinics will benefit from the speed and reliability of this new MLC design.

From Elekta 2 Apr 2012