Brachytherapy News and Research

RSS

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.

High-dose rate brachytherapy procedure to treat prostate cancer

Beaumont Hospital radiation oncologists have launched a research study to treat men with low to intermediate risk prostate cancer with a single dose of radiation.

17 Dec 2010

Chinese hospital uses UNIQUE radiotherapy system to treat cancer patients

Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, China, has become the first treatment center in Asia to commence treating cancer patients using the UNIQUE™ medical linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR).

14 Dec 2010

Active surveillance improves quality of life in low-risk prostate cancer patients

In a study that compared initial treatment strategies for low-risk prostate cancer among men 65 years old, active surveillance showed higher measures on quality of life compared to an initial treatment such as radical prostatectomy, although the optimal strategy was highly dependent on individual patient preferences for surveillance or treatment, according to a study in the December 1 issue of JAMA.

1 Dec 2010

Varian to launch novel X-ray tube and flat panel technology at RSNA 2010

Varian Medical Systems will introduce innovative new X-ray tube and flat panel technology at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago from Nov 28 – Dec 02.

29 Nov 2010

IsoRay to sell $2.25 million in common stock

IsoRay Inc. has entered a securities purchase agreement with an investor to sell $2.25 million in common stock with the potential of $2,075,000 additional funding through two subsequent short term warrant tranches of 90 days and 180 days assuming an average exercise price of $1.40 and that all Series A and B warrants are exercised. Additional funding will occur if Series C or D warrants are exercised.

22 Nov 2010

Multidisciplinary clinic approach can improve survival in patients with aggressive prostate cancer

A research team from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Kimmel Cancer Center (KCC) at Jefferson has concluded for the first time that a multidisciplinary clinic approach to aggressive prostate cancer can improve survival in patients. The results from the 15-year study of the multidisciplinary clinic can be found in the November issue of Journal of Oncology Practice.

18 Nov 2010

Varian to showcase PaxScan digital image detectors and X-ray tubes at MEDICA 2010

Varian Medical Systems will exhibit its line of PaxScan® digital image detectors and X-ray tubes for fluoroscopy, angiography, cardiology and cone-beam CT imaging at the MEDICA 2010 International Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany from November 17-20.

18 Nov 2010

Hartford Hospital research team receives $238,000 grant from InHealth to study prostate cancer

The Institute for Health Technology Studies (InHealth) has awarded a grant totaling more than $238,000 to a research team at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut to study how various prostate cancer treatments affect a patient's "social capital" the ability to continue working productively in a paying job.

12 Nov 2010

EUSA Pharma announces 10-year outcome data of PROSTASCINT in prostate cancer radiotherapy

EUSA Pharma, a transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, oncology supportive care and critical care, announced today the publication of 10-year outcome data showing that PROSTASCINT(R) (capromab pendetide) fusion imaging is an effective tool for targeting and guiding the dosing of prostate cancer radiotherapy.

4 Nov 2010

EUSA announces publication of PROSTASCINT imaging for prostate cancer in official journal of American Society

EUSA Pharma, a transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, oncology supportive care and critical care, announced today the publication of 10-year outcome data showing that PROSTASCINT (capromab pendetide) fusion imaging is an effective tool for targeting and guiding the dosing of prostate cancer radiotherapy.

3 Nov 2010

Radiation oncologist says radiation quality assurance practices need to be standardized

In 2009, after The New York Times reported a series of mistakes in radiation therapy delivery, a team of radiation oncologists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson decided to investigate how thoroughly different hospitals use "chart rounds" to review the radiotherapy cancer patients receive.

3 Nov 2010

New REACT medical trial for early diagnosis of lung cancer

Physicians at El Camino Hospital are starting a medical trial called REACT that they hope may give doctors a new and cost-effective tool for early diagnosis of lung cancer, the deadliest of the common cancers.

2 Nov 2010

Varian's Acuros XB dose calculation algorithm for radiotherapy receives FDA 510(k) clearance

Varian Medical Systems has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Acuros® XB advanced dose calculation algorithm which can complete a RapidArc® treatment plan two to three times faster than conventional planning algorithms. Varian has incorporated the Acuros algorithm for external beam radiotherapy treatment planning into its market-leading Eclipse™ treatment planning system on exhibit at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego October 31 - November 4.

1 Nov 2010

CyberKnife radiosurgery studies for breast cancer treatment to be presented at ASTRO Meeting

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today studies underway at two leading academic institutions using CyberKnife radiosurgery in breast cancer treatment. These two studies, from the University of Texas Southwestern and Fox Chase Cancer Center, will be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Diego from October 31 to November 4.

1 Nov 2010

CURE Foundation orders for five Varian TrueBeam stereotactic radiosurgery and radiation therapy systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that CURE Foundation has placed an order for five Varian TrueBeam™ systems for stereotactic radiosurgery and radiation therapy.

29 Oct 2010

IsoRay completes Cs-131 brachytherapy seeds feasibility study for breast cancer treatment

IsoRay, Inc. announced, today, it has completed an initial feasibility study, which demonstrates the ability to use its patented Cesium-131 (Cs-131) brachytherapy seeds (internal radiation therapy) in accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for breast cancer treatment.

28 Oct 2010

UMC of Göttingen purchases BSD-500 Hyperthermia System

BSD Medical Corporation announced today that the University Medical Center (UMC) of Göttingen, Germany, has purchased a BSD-500 Hyperthermia System (BSD-500). UMC was established in 1732 and is a center of scientific excellence in Europe and the most prominent medical center in Lower Saxony, Germany.

25 Oct 2010

NeedleTech increases production area with new 73,000-square foot manufacturing facility

U.S. Congressman James McGovern, State Representative Elizabeth Poirier and local dignitaries joined Theragenics Corporation executives in ribbon cutting ceremonies on October 15 for a new 73,000-square foot manufacturing facility for the company's subsidiary, NeedleTech Products. The new facility increases NeedleTech's production area by 30% or 20,000 square feet, allowing the company to consolidate two separate older facilities into one location. The new building will allow NeedleTech to expand operations, increase R&D and offer more services to its customers.

25 Oct 2010

Robot-assisted brachytherapy for treating prostate cancer

In the first-of-a-kind clinical trial, a robot will be used to place therapeutic radioactive seeds in prostate cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute-supported study, which will enroll 14 patients, has just opened at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

15 Oct 2010

IsoRay initiates study of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds for NSCLC cancer

IsoRay, Inc. announced today the initiation of a multi-institutional study of Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds (internal radiation therapy) for use in Non Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC). A number of institutions and physicians will be working to collect scientific data to further the use of Cesium-131 internal radiation therapy in conjunction with surgery for NSCLC.

14 Oct 2010