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.

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

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