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.

CFDA clears Elekta's Versa HD radiation therapy system

Following US and European approvals of Elekta's Versa HD™ linear accelerator, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has cleared the radiation therapy system for sale and marketing in the country.

From Elekta 30 Sep 2014

Researchers test novel robotic system to improve prostate cancer biopsies

A novel robotic system that can operate inside the bore of an MRI scanner is currently being tested as part of a biomedical research partnership program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston with the aim of determining if the robot, in conjunction with real-time MRI images, can make prostate cancer biopsies faster, more accurate, less costly, and less discomforting for the patient.

22 Sep 2014

Photoelectric therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer developed by Xstrahl

With a presence in over 500 clinics around the world, Xstrahl have drawn upon their vast clinical expertise to develop a revolutionary system that has been specifically designed for the treatment superficial skin cancers and skin conditions.

From Xstrahl 18 Sep 2014

Study reveals treatment trends for prostate cancer in Japan

There has been a recent increase in use of radiotherapy in Japanese men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and a concomitant decrease in use of androgen deprivation therapy, study findings indicate.

18 Aug 2014

Seven physicians receive ASTRO grants to advance radiation oncology research

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has selected seven leading physicians to receive a total of $675,000 in awards and grants to advance radiation oncology research. The ASTRO Junior Faculty Career Research Training Award, the ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Research Seed Grant and the ASTRO/Radiation Oncology Institute Comparative Effectiveness Research Award will fund studies in radiation and cancer biology, radiation physics, translational research, outcomes/health services research and comparative effectiveness research within radiation oncology.

12 Aug 2014

Varian receives 510(k) clearance from FDA for Calypso soft tissue Beacon transponder

Varian Medical Systems today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a Calypso® soft tissue Beacon® transponder that can help enhance the precision of radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatments for cancer.

21 Jul 2014

Yashoda Cancer Institute uses Varian Clinac medical linear accelerator for radiotherapy treatments

Clinicians at a leading cancer center in India have become the first in the country to commence advanced lung, liver and brain radiotherapy treatments using an upgraded Clinac medical linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems.

15 Jul 2014

Battelle acquires nearly 11% of AMIC's outstanding Common Stock

Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation, a late stage development company engaged primarily in the development of brachytherapy devices and medical isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, today announced that Battelle, has acquired approximately 11% of AMIC's outstanding Common Stock.

7 Jul 2014

ASTRO issues new Model Policy for proton beam therapy

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new Model Policy for proton beam therapy (PBT) that details which cancer diagnoses meet ASTRO's evidence-based standards and should be covered by private insurers and Medicare.

5 Jun 2014

Elekta and Philips partner to develop integrated MRI guided radiation therapy system

Elekta and Royal Philips announced today that The Institute of Cancer Research, London, a world-leading cancer research institution, working with its clinical partner The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, will join the Elekta MR Linac Research Consortium, a group with a mission to develop an integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided radiation therapy system.

From Philips Healthcare 5 Jun 2014

Low baseline QOL scores does not predict worse survival in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery

Quality of life (QOL) is rarely reported in surgical publications, yet it can be an important metric that can be of use to physicians and patients when making treatment decisions.

30 Apr 2014

First Edition: April 28, 2014

Today's headlines include a number of stories examining the impact of the health law in various states.

28 Apr 2014

ASTRO’s guideline details use of adjuvant radiation therapy in treatment of endometrial cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has issued a new guideline, "The Role of Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Endometrial Cancer: An ASTRO Evidence-Based Guideline," that details the use of adjuvant radiation therapy in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

25 Apr 2014

BioZorb 3D surgical marker improves ability to target radiation treatment for breast cancer

The BioZorb™ three-dimensional surgical marker improved the ability of radiation oncologists to target radiation treatment for breast cancer, according to a scientific presentation at the 2014 American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) Annual Meeting.

11 Apr 2014

ASTRO white paper recommends specific guidance to follow in the delivery of HDR brachytherapy

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has issued a new white paper, "A review of safety, quality management, and practice guidelines for high-dose-rate brachytherapy," that recommends specific guidance to follow in the delivery of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy to improve quality and patient safety, according to the manuscript published in the March-April 2014 print issue of Practical Radiation Oncology, the official clinical practice journal of ASTRO.

6 Mar 2014

Yangon General Hospital first to install Varian technology for cancer treatment

Yangon General Hospital has become the first clinical site in Myanmar to install new technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) for treating cancer with radiotherapy.

28 Feb 2014

AMIC provides report on FDA pre-market notification related to brachytherapy cancer product

Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation ("AMIC"), a company engaged in the development, production and distribution of medical isotopes focused on yttrium-90 brachytherapy devices, today announced that it has received a response from the FDA to its pre-market notification to the FDA pursuant to Section 510(k) of the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act for its Yttrium-90 (Y-90) RadioGel(tm) patented brachytherapy cancer product.

25 Feb 2014

iCAD total revenue for Q4 2013 increases 16.8% to $9.1 million

iCAD, Inc., an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early identification and treatment of cancer, today reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013.

19 Feb 2014

Researchers offer new options for men whose prostate cancer has spread to bones

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center has treated three men with a recently FDA-approved treatment, which offers new options for men whose prostate cancer has spread to their bones.

13 Feb 2014

Patients receiving APBI after breast-conserving surgery show excellent tumor control, breast cosmesis

Long-term outcomes of breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant accelerated partial breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery show excellent tumor control and breast cosmesis (cosmetic outcomes) with minimal late toxicity, according to a study published in the February 1, 2014 print edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.

30 Jan 2014