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.

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.

10 Sep 2010

Researchers develop gLQ Model to determine optimal dose level, treatment schedules for high-dose radiation therapies

There is yet no straightforward way to determine the optimal dose level and treatment schedules for high-dose radiation therapies such as stereotactic radiation therapy, used to treat brain and lung cancer, or for high-dose brachytherapy for prostate and other cancers.Radiation oncologists at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute may have solved the problem by developing a new mathematical model that encompasses all dose levels.

3 Sep 2010

Leon-Berard Cancer Center to install CyberKnife VSI System

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, today announced that the first CyberKnife VSI System to be installed in Europe was placed at the Leon-Berard Cancer Multidisciplinary Center in Lyon, France. The CyberKnife VSI System is the newest addition to the CyberKnife product family.

2 Sep 2010

InSightec's ExAblate Robotic Acoustic Surgery system used for prostate cancer treatment

InSightec Ltd., the global leader in MR guided focused ultrasound technology and the only company to receive FDA approval for its ExAblate(R) system for treating uterine fibroids, announced today that its ExAblate(R) system has been used for the first time for the treatment of prostate cancer patients.

31 Aug 2010

First time use of ExAblate MR Guided Focused Ultrasound System for prostate cancer treatment

Elbit Imaging Ltd. that it's subsidiary, InSightec Ltd., the global leader in MR guided focused ultrasound technology and the only company to receive FDA approval for its ExAblate(R) system for treating uterine fibroids, announced today that its ExAblate(R) system has been used for the first time for the treatment of prostate cancer patients.

31 Aug 2010

Researcher develops new plaque brachytherapy technique to treat eye cancer

Rare but devastating, eye cancer can strike anyone at any time and treating it often requires radiation that leaves half of all patients partially blind.But a new technique developed by Scott Oliver, MD, assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, may change all that.

30 Aug 2010

Varian Medical Systems enters $225M accelerated share repurchase agreement with Bank of America

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Bank of America N.A. to repurchase $225 million of its common stock under an accelerated share repurchase program. Concurrently, the company amended its revolving credit facility with Bank of America N.A. to increase its borrowing capacity from $150 million to $225 million.

25 Aug 2010

Varian to showcase new Gated RapidArc technology at 2010 CHINA-HOSPEQ exhibition

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. will showcase the company's new Gated RapidArc technology on its Trilogy® machine with advanced motion management capabilities at the 2010 CHINA-HOSPEQ exhibition being held in Beijing August 19-21 by China's Ministry of Health. Varian, the world's leading manufacturer of medical technology for treating cancer and a premier supplier of X-ray imaging technology, will also exhibit its software for planning and for managing radiation therapy treatments.

18 Aug 2010

Theragenics reports consolidated revenue of $20.8M for second-quarter 2010

Theragenics Corporation, a medical device company serving the surgical products and prostate cancer treatment markets, today announced consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

10 Aug 2010

Varian Medical Systems board authorizes additional 8 million common stock repurchase program

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to repurchase an additional 8 million shares of its common stock during a period commencing immediately and extending through September 30, 2011. Stock repurchases will be made in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or in Rule 10b5-1 share repurchase plans, and may be made from time to time or in one or more larger blocks.

9 Aug 2010