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.

Brachytherapy for lung cancer

A 58-year-old man who lives in Corona, Queens came to the emergency room of New York Hospital Queens (NYHQ) with extreme pain and tingling in his left arm. Although he did not realize it at the time, he had lung cancer. Recently, he made medical history as the first patient in the United States to be treated for lung cancer through the use of radioactive pellets placed directly in the tumor, and today his recovery is going well. Known as brachytherapy, this treatment approach is commonly used to treat prostate cancer.

18 Dec 2009

New statement on breast cancer by ACS underscores value of post-surgical radiation therapy

A new statement on breast cancer by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) underscores the value of an advanced approach to post-surgical radiation therapy provided by the Breast Clinic of Memphis.

18 Dec 2009

Varian Medical Systems introduces RapidArc radiotherapy technology in Finland

Cancer patients in Finland have gained access to more advanced treatments with the introduction of RapidArc® radiotherapy technology from Varian Medical Systems at the only private radiotherapy clinic in the Nordic region.

15 Dec 2009

New research highlights the benefit of shortened radiation course for patients with non-invasive breast cancer

New research being presented this week at the 32nd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium by an investigator at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) highlights the benefit of a shortened radiation course to patients with the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer.

14 Dec 2009

SAVI applicator for breast brachytherapy can be an effective therapy for breast cancer

The SAVI™ applicator for breast brachytherapy is a safe, effective therapy for breast cancer, according to a newly published study in a peer-reviewed journal.

8 Dec 2009

Multi-Lumen MammoSite device to treat breast cancer now available at Jupiter Medical Center

Women fighting breast cancer after a lumpectomy have a new weapon in the battle, now available at Jupiter Medical Center's Foshay Cancer Center. Today, the hospital began treating patients with the Multi-Lumen MammoSite(R) device, just approved in September by the FDA.

4 Dec 2009

IsoRay to distribute Oncura's I-125 brachytherapy seed

IsoRay, Inc. announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement with Oncura to distribute the I-125 brachytherapy seed, OncoSeed™.

3 Dec 2009

RapidArc radiotherapy technology delivers highly-precise IMRT treatment

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Francis Bodine was surprised and delighted when his radiotherapy treatment sessions for prostate cancer went from about 20 minutes each day to less than five.

2 Dec 2009

Varian Medical Systems' RapidArc radiotherapy enables faster stereotactic treatment of lung tumors

Researchers from VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam have reported that RapidArc® radiotherapy from Varian Medical Systems has clinical advantages over earlier fixed-beam approaches to stereotactic treatments of lung tumors. Their findings, based on treatment of 85 medically inoperable lung cancer patients, were reported at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Chicago and a condensed version has been published in the 'Green Journal' (Radiotherapy and Oncology) 93 (2009).

1 Dec 2009

Varian Medical Systems to exhibit its full range of detectors at RSNA Annual Meeting in Chicago

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., a premier supplier of X-ray tubes and flat panel digital image detectors, will exhibit its full range of detectors at the RSNA Annual Meeting in Chicago, Ill. from November 29 - December 3, 2009. Varian will also be exhibiting X-ray tube technology for multiple modalities as well as specialized cancer treatment technologies.

27 Nov 2009

Aegis Breast 3.0 that offers powerful real-time 4D image processing to be launched

Sentinelle Medical Inc., a leading manufacturer of breast MRI coils and advanced visualization software launches a suite of new leading edge clinical applications on its Aegis(TM) medical imaging software platform at this year's Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, Nov. 30 - Dec. 5, 2009 (Booth 5800, Hall A).

26 Nov 2009

BK Medical, MedAssets Supply Chain Systems sign new product agreement

BK Medical, an innovative leader in medical ultrasound and a wholly owned subsidiary of Analogic Corporation (NASDAQ:ALOG), has signed a new three-year product-line agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems.

25 Nov 2009

UCH introduces RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems

Two female brain tumor patients have become the first people in the south of England to be treated using a faster form of radiotherapy that extends more advanced care to more patients. RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) makes it possible to deliver image-guided IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy) two to eight times faster than is possible with conventional IMRT.

20 Nov 2009

PaxScan digital image detectors and X-ray tubes of Varian Medical Systems to be exhibited

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., a premier supplier of X-ray tubes and flat panel digital image detectors, will exhibit its PaxScan digital image detectors and its line of X-ray tubes for fluoroscopy, angiography, cardiology and cone-beam CT imaging at the MEDICA 2009 International Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany from November 18-21, 2009.

19 Nov 2009

First-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by IsoRay

IsoRay Inc. a medical isotope company focusing on the treatment of prostate, lung, head and neck and other malignant disease through the use of its proprietary radioisotope technology, announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, ended September 30, 2009.

16 Nov 2009

SAVI reaches a major milestone in breast brachytherapy

This month marks three years since physicians began offering SAVI™ radiation treatment as part of breast conservation therapy for early-stage breast cancer – a major milestone in breast brachytherapy.

10 Nov 2009

Chicago Prostate Cancer Center offers free prostate cancer guide

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. One in six men will be diagnosed during his lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.

9 Nov 2009

SAVI 6-1Mini applicator is the only brachytherapy solution for patients with small breasts, says study

The SAVI™ 6-1Mini breast brachytherapy applicator is the only brachytherapy solution for patients with small breasts, hard-to-reach lumpectomy cavities, or cavities close to the skin surface, according to a new study.

6 Nov 2009

Study suggests three-week course of radiation therapy effective for breast cancer patients

According to a study presented November 4, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), a shortened, more intensive course of radiation given to the whole breast, along with an extra dose of radiation given to the surgical bed of the tumor (concomitant boost), has been shown to result in excellent local control at a median follow up of two years after treatment with no significant side effects.

5 Nov 2009

Short, intensive radiation therapy offers similar results as conventional therapy for early stage-breast cancers