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.

Elekta receives EU CE marking for Connexion modular couchtop

Elekta's Connexion modular couchtop is CE marked and successfully released for sale in the European Union. Connexion meets the clinic's need to tailor patient set-up to accommodate the unique therapy requirements of the individual patient.

From Elekta 29 Mar 2012

TJUH's Department of Radiation Oncology unveils new brachytherapy suite

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Department of Radiation Oncology has unveiled the region's only image-guided brachytherapy suite, where patients can have radiation imaging, planning and treatment in a single location without being moved.

27 Mar 2012

Gamma Knife surgery stops growth of 'World's tallest living human'

Sultan Kosen won't be posting new world records for height anymore, but that's just fine with him. The Gamma Knife radiosurgery the 29-year-old Turkish man had in August 2010 has successfully stopped his growth at the height of 8 ft 3 in (251 cm). Mr. Kosen, who suffered the effects of acromegaly, has held the title of "World's Tallest Living Human" since September 2009, when his 8 ft plus stature edged 7 ft 9 in Xiu Xung from China.

From Elekta 17 Mar 2012

ESTRO 31 and the World Congress of Brachytherapy

The 31st ESTRO congress and the World Congress of Brachytherapy

17 Mar 2012

Elekta Clarity 3D system transforms prostate radiotherapy at UHG

Soft tissue imaging with 3D ultrasound both at therapy simulation and just before treatment has transformed prostate radiotherapy at University Hospital Galway.

From Elekta 9 Mar 2012

Varian to acquire InfiMed

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire InfiMed, Inc., a privately-owned, leading supplier of workstations including hardware and software for processing diagnostic X-ray images. The acquisition, which is expected to close in early April subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, will operate within Varian's X-Ray Products segment.

5 Mar 2012

Elekta to highlight Clarity with Autoscan at Radiosurgery Society meeting

Clarity soft tissue visualization system now provides an Autoscan option for automated ultrasound scanning from outside of the treatment room, employing a motorized probe positioned at the patient's perineum.

From Elekta 20 Feb 2012

Elekta's Fraxion integrates all proven cranial immobilization options in a single solution

The Fraxion head frame helps ensure accuracy and precision in stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) of cancer targets in the brain and cranium. Elekta's Fraxion is the first to introduce an innovative system that integrates all proven cranial immobilization options in a single solution.

From Elekta 18 Feb 2012

Russian neurosurgical institute acquires Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion system

Russia's first Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion system has found a home at the renowned N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, just a five-minute car ride from Moscow's Red Square.

From Elekta 6 Feb 2012

FDA grants 510(k) clearance for Varian's new radiotherapy treatment planning tool

Varian Medical Systems has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a new radiotherapy treatment planning tool designed to work with the company's market leading Eclipse™ treatment planning software to reduce the amount of time needed for planning advanced treatments.

11 Jan 2012

Proton therapy safe and effective for men with prostate cancer

Proton therapy, a type of external beam radiation therapy, is a safe and effective treatment for prostate cancer, according to two new studies published in the January issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology-Physics (Red Journal), the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) official scientific journal.

6 Jan 2012

SonoPhoto Dynamic Therapy shows promise against squamous cell carcinoma

George Miller developed an ulcer on his bottom lip that began to bleed. His doctor sent cell scrapings to a pathologist, and diagnosed Miller with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). According to TMD Limited, a medical tourism company, squamous cell carcinoma is the 2nd most common cancer in humans and other animals.

6 Jan 2012

iCAD enters $15M debt facility agreement with Deerfield Management

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today announced that it has entered into a five year, $15 million debt facility agreement with Deerfield Management Company LP, a leading healthcare investment fund.

3 Jan 2012

MDA doctors challenge breast cancer brachytherapy study

A recent study on a sophisticated form of radiation treatment for breast cancer is inaccurate and has caused unnecessary concern among many patients, according to four top physician researchers.

19 Dec 2011

Breast cancer risks and management updates

A new report that looks at the environmental factors that affect risk of breast cancer is out. It suggests that women can reduce their risk by avoiding unnecessary medical radiation, forgoing hormone treatments for menopause that combine estrogen and progestin, limiting alcohol intake and minimizing weight gain.

8 Dec 2011

Study raises questions about breast cancer therapy

The study, which looked at Medicare records of more than 130,000 women, found that those who underwent the faster treatment, called brachytherapy, were about twice as likely to have a mastectomy in the following five years -;

8 Dec 2011

First Edition: December 7, 2011

In the news today, a status check on the work -- including the Medicare doc fix -- that Congress still needs to attend to before leaving Washington for the holidays.

7 Dec 2011

Study compares two radiation therapy techniques available to women with breast cancer

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.

7 Dec 2011

IsoRay initiates shipment of GliaSite radiation therapy system

IsoRay, Inc. announced today it has shipped its first GliaSite radiation therapy system. The Company initiated sales after receiving final approval this week from the State of Washington Department of Health to manufacture its GliaSite radiation therapy system.

28 Nov 2011

IsoRay receives Washington State approval for GliaSite system to treat brain cancer

IsoRay, Inc. announced today it has received final approval from the State of Washington Department of Health to manufacture its GliaSite radiation therapy system, a balloon catheter device used in the treatment of brain cancer. In conjunction with the previously announced FDA clearance, the Washington State approval represents IsoRay's final regulatory hurdle to commence the sale of its GliaSite brain cancer treatment in the United States.

22 Nov 2011