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.

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

Humanitas Clinic treats first cancer patient using TrueBeam technology

A 54-year-old head & neck cancer patient has become the first person in Italy to be treated using a revolutionary new linear accelerator that can deliver radiotherapy twice as fast as conventional therapy machines. The Humanitas Clinic in Rozzano-Milan carried out the treatment last week, becoming only the third hospital in Europe to begin clinical treatments using TrueBeam from Varian Medical Systems.

13 Oct 2010

Chongqing Cancer Hospital commences treatment with Varian's RapidArc radiotherapy

Chongqing Cancer Hospital in Southwest China has become the first treatment center in Southwest China to offer cancer patients a faster, more precise form of image-guided radiotherapy that potentially enables doctors to improve outcomes while extending more advanced care to more patients. Clinicians at the hospital have used RapidArc® radiotherapy from Varian Medical Systems to treat patients for cancers of the nasopharynx, cervix, breast, and lung.

11 Oct 2010

Varian and Stanford scientists receive $3.6M NIH grant to develop advanced imaging technology

Scientists from Stanford University and from the Ginzton Technology Center at Varian Medical Systems have jointly received a $3.6 million five-year research grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop advanced imaging technology for improving the quality of CT images for patients with metal objects in their bodies such as hip implants and dental fillings.

11 Oct 2010

AMIC signs world-wide license for brachytherapy seed with fast-dissolving matrix

Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation, a company engaged in the production and distribution of medical isotopes, is delighted to announce the execution of an exclusive world-wide license for patented technology for a proprietary brachytherapy seed with a fast-dissolving matrix for optimized delivery of radionuclides to cancer tissue.

7 Oct 2010

Cs-131 brachytherapy seed implant can treat metastasized cancer

IsoRay, Inc. announced today another milestone in the use of Cesium-131 (Cs-131) brachytherapy seeds (internal radiation therapy). Doctors at a world renowned medical facility have performed the world's first Cs-131 brachytherapy seed implant following a wedge resection of a lung tumor which originated from a form of malignant uterine cancer. Initially used to treat primary cancers, Cs-131 seeds are now being used to treat metastasized cancer.

7 Oct 2010

Varian, IMRIS enter agreement to co-develop new MR-guided radiation therapy system for cancer

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and IMRIS Inc. have concluded an agreement to co-develop an innovative new MR-guided radiation therapy system for use in treating a variety of cancers.

6 Oct 2010

IsoRay reports increase revenue for 2010 fiscal year

IsoRay Inc. a medical isotope company and the exclusive manufacturer of Cesium-131 used in internal radiation therapy for the treatment of lung, colon, head and neck, and prostate cancers, ocular melanoma, and other malignant disease through the use of its proprietary radioisotope technology, announced its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2010.

28 Sep 2010

Premier Purchasing Partners announces new agreements for radiation oncology portfolio

Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced that contracts have been awarded to suppliers in its new radiation oncology portfolio.

From Elekta 28 Sep 2010

Cianna Medical launches SAVI Sisters program to educate about breast cancer treatment options

Cianna Medical, Inc., the maker of the SAVI breast brachytherapy applicator, today announced the launch of SAVI Sisters, a program designed to provide education about breast cancer treatment options, primarily through social networking.

24 Sep 2010

Varian to highlight new TrueBeam medical linear accelerator at ESTRO 2010

Varian Medical Systems is spotlighting its new TrueBeam™ medical linear accelerator for fast, powerful and efficient cancer treatments at the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology exhibition in Barcelona next week. A fully-featured TrueBeam system will be the centerpiece of Varian's booth at the annual ESTRO meeting (Booth No. 320).

10 Sep 2010

Nucletron to present innovative cancer treatment during ESTRO29

Nucletron, a leading provider of state of the art radiotherapy solutions for cancer treatment, today announced a large number of exciting innovations for precise cancer treatment that will be in the spotlight during ESTRO29 in Barcelona. The company will be showcasing the latest developments in cancer treatment solutions for both brachytherapy and external beam.