Welcome to the November 2011 e-Lectron e-news.
This month’s feature is “The latest Brachytherapy systems and software in use in radiotherapy today”

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The RadPro EXPO 2012 virtual radiotherapy congress and exhibition micro-site is now live!  

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Radiotherapy Sales and Applications Specialist

Over the past 12 years, Oncology Imaging Systems has established itself as the leading supplier of patient positioning devices to radiotherapy departments in the UK and Ireland.

As part of our continued growth and expansion plans we are looking for a self motivated and dynamic individual to join our committed team in growing our business further and providing our customers with the highest level of training and after sales support. The position offers extensive customer contact and travel throughout the UK with the opportunity of international travel as our customer base expands. Our chosen candidate will have an exceptional portfolio of relevant experience and the ability to present and converse at all levels.

In return, OIS are offering a highly competitive salary with exceptional bonus structure and all the refinements a position of this nature deserves. Interested parties wishing to apply please do so in the first instance via email to jess@oncologyimaging.com

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e-Lectron Feature Article. The latest Brachytherapy systems and software in use in radiotherapy today!

All Gain and Minimal Pain – Moving to MR-based Brachytherapy Needn’t be a Nightmare

Brachytherapy used to be the Cinderella of radiotherapy, with treatments for cervix cancer being based on films or CT which didn’t allow oncologists to conform the brachytherapy treatment to the patient’s tumour.

But oncologists are increasingly turning to MRI-based planning to give truly conformal plans, hopefully leading to better outcomes for patients. Groups such as those participating in the EMBRACE trial believe firmly in the benefits, but it can be hard for users to see how they can go from their tried and tested clinical workflows to the high tech new ones while continuing to work within the constraints of their particular clinic.

ESTRO have offered a teaching course for five years on MRI-guided brachytherapy for cervix cancer, but the size of the course means it’s hard for participants to get hands on guidance and feedback on their specific issues.

And that’s where Varian steps in, with a course tailored to teach those using Varian brachytherapy equipment how to go about getting started. Run by a faculty of staff from Aarhus in Denmark and Ljubljana in Slovenia who have extensive experience both in High Dose Rate and Pulse Dose Rate treatments, and in a small class setting, the programme has been designed to cover all the areas the clinical team need to know.   To read more click here: PDF 1

RadCalc for VMAT and Brachytherapy Available Now

LifeLine Software Inc have added two new modules to their RadCalc software package.  The Regions of Interest Module for VMAT and the Brachytherapy Module for HDR, LDR and Permanent Implant calculations.  Both of these are available for purchase as add-on modules to currently maintained site license or as part of a new site license package.  For more details please see the videos below or contact Imaging Equipment Limited on 01761-417402 or go to www.imagingequipment.co.uk

To see the vidoes click on the links below:

http://www.lifelinesoftware.com/resources.cfm

http://www.lifelinesoftware.com/radcalcmovie.cfm

Elekta completes the acquisition of Nucletron

Elekta AB announced it has successfully completed its acquisition of Nucletron, the world leader in brachytherapy treatment planning and delivery. Through the combination Elekta will offer a complete range of radiotherapy planning and delivery technologies. As the market leader in Europe and with strong positions in North America and Asia, Elekta will enhance the combined ability to meet the clinical needs of cancer patients and health care providers throughout the world. “Now we have successfully completed the acquisition and we are very enthusiastic about building a broader, stronger and highly complementary range of cutting-edge cancer care solutions,” said Elekta’s President and CEO, Tomas Puusepp. “Nucletron has a strong financial track record with good growth, high profitability and a large share of recurring revenues. We are committed to further increase the growth in Nucletron to be in line with Elekta’s long term growth targets. Nucletron will add approximately 1,000 new customers to Elekta’s customer base of more than 5,000 and the combination will allow the enlarged group to take mutual advantage of Nucletron’s expertise in brachytherapy combined with Elekta’s global presence, particularly in emerging markets”.

Nottingham University Hospital commences treatment of patients with Nucletron’s new vaginal CT/MR multi-channel applicator

Nottingham University Hospital recently purchased Nucletron’s* Vaginal CT/MR Multi Channel (VCMC) Applicator and has now commenced clinical treatment using the new equipment.   Initial feedback confirmed that treatment procedures are easier to perform with the applicator compared to current methods of delivery and that it is non-traumatic for patients.   Dr. Stephen Chan Clinical Oncologist comments, “Radiotherapy is the only curative treatment for the group of patients with cancer of the vagina.  In the past we have used interstitial needles.  This means the patient has a general anaesthetic for the insertion and remains immobilised in bed for 3 days.  With the less invasive VCMC applicator we were able to treat the patient without an anaesthetic and on an outpatient basis.   This was much more convenient for the patient and eliminated the trauma of needle insertion.   It also removed the cost associated with theatre, anaesthetics and in-patient stays.”     
To read more click here: PDF 2

Functional Design – complete access with minimal radiation exposure

The Brachytherapy C-Arm Table is manufactured by Biodex and is available in the UK to buy through Imaging Equipment Limited.  The narrow Fiberesin ™ tabletop of the Brachytherapy C-Arm Table is cantilevered to accommodate portable or ceiling suspended C-Arms.  Radiolucent areas are free of cross members, allowing full fluoroscopic visualisation and unobstructed C-Arm positioning.  Functional design provides complete access while minimising radiation exposure to clinicians.

Designed and equipped specifically for seed implantation procedures, the Brachytherapy C-Arm Table features a radiolucent extension that provides capability for brachytherapy treatment involving the upper body, as well as other general C-Arm applications. Motorised actuation of height, X-Y, lateral roll and Trendelenburg motions of the tabletop, with pre-programmed features, ensure quick and safe tabletop positioning during any phase of a procedure. Contact Jessica@imagingequipment.co.uk for more information.

To watch a product video click here

EBX - Taking brachytherapy from behind closed doors

The field of HDR brachytherapy has had little new and exciting to shout about over the last 20 or so years, but has been happily plodding along the pit ponies of the radiation therapy department. Recent developments in the area of 50 Kv electrically activated X-Ray radiation brachytherapy however look about to give this closeted little world a bit of a shake up.

Although electronic brachytherapy is a relatively new gun in the armoury of radiation therapists new applications and delivery methods are being devised at a rate of knots. Probably the most flexible system on the market today is *Xoft electronic brachytherapy which is the only system to offer a hybrid solution to classic brachytherapy and IORT.

The Xoft ebx system is a leading-edge technology that utilizes a proprietary miniaturized X-ray source to apply radiation directly to a tumour bed within the body. It mimics certain characteristics of the most common HDR brachytherapy isotope 192Ir but with low energy output and no difficult to handle Isotopes. As a result Xoft can be used as IORT anywhere in the body as well as accelerated partial breast irradiation ( APBI) in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer, and many other traditional HDR brachy procedures i.e. endometrial cancer , skin cancer, rectal cancer, and from 2012 cervical cancer and for irradiation treatment in. The flexible base technology also lends itself to new application development with an aggressive R& D and engineering department ready to explore new ideas e.g. oesophageal, spine, prostate bed etc

Contact Heidi by email on hmurphyhunt@pergentium.com for more information on Xoft and this new treatment for post operative breast cancer.

To read more click here: PDF 10A


What the papers said…
Last months more interesting Radiotherapy news in the national press

Radiotherapy after surgery halves the chance of breast cancer returning

Dramatic results for women who have undergone lumpectomy. Ten-year study is one of most in-depth of its kind

Radiotherapy dramatically reduces the risk of recurrence among breast cancer patients who have undergone lumpectomies, say Oxford researchers

Radiotherapy dramatically reduces the risk of relapse among breast cancer patients who have undergone lumpectomies, say scientists.

Researchers from Oxford University discovered that radiation treatment used after surgery can decrease the chance of the disease recurring by fifty per cent.

To read more click here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2051736/Radiotherapy-surgery-halves-chance-breast-cancer-returning.html

MPs condemn poor value from hi-tech equipment

A report by MPs says the NHS in England is wasteful over the way it buys and deploys its most expensive equipment.

The Public Accounts Committee says this means poor value for money for taxpayers, and delays for patients.

The MPs say it is unacceptable that money is being wasted at a time when the NHS has to make savings of £20bn.
To read more click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15432419

Alpha radiation treats prostate cancers

A trial of a new cancer drug, which accurately targets tumours, has been so successful it has been stopped early.

Doctors at London's Royal Marsden Hospital gave prostate cancer patients a powerful alpha radiation drug and found that they lived longer, and experienced less pain and side effects.

The medics then stopped the trial of 922 people, saying it was unethical not to offer all of them the treatment.

To read more click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15039216

Breast screening review will give women 'more accurate information'

Professor Sir Mike Richards, national cancer director at the Department of Health, explains why the risks and benefits of breast cancer screening are being reviewed.

To watch a video click here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8849960/Breast-screening-review-will-give-women-more-accurate-information.html

Hot news from the industry

Netherlands Clinic Bids Farewell to World’s Longest-Running Elekta Radiation Treatment Machine

Leiden University Medical Center retires SL25 linear accelerator after 24 years and continues long Elekta tradition with new treatment system acquisitions

LEIDEN, The Netherlands, October 18 – Recently, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) removed the final components of its first SL25 series Elekta cancer therapy machine, a system that began treating patients at LUMC in 1987. The SL25 digital linear accelerator had reliably delivered over 160,000 therapy treatments to more than 10,000 patients.

“I would compare our first treatment system, the SL25, to your first mobile phone,” says C.A.M. Marijnen, M.D., chair of LUMC’s radiation oncology department since 2009. “To you, it was perfect, easy to use and it did what you needed it to do. But obviously it can’t do all the things smartphones do now. While the SL25 was our most resilient system, after 24 years it was time to take advantage of newer radiation treatment technology.”

To read more click here: PDF 4

Varian Medical Systems Publishes First Sustainability Report Outlining Environmental, Charitable, Safety and Health Access Achievements

Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), a world leader in radiotherapy and X-Ray imaging technology, is announcing the publication of its first comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, detailing the company’s policies and achievements in extending care, protecting resources and helping to save lives. The ‘Varian Sustainability’ Report has been produced as part of the wider investment to continually improve sustainability performance and transparency.

To read more click here: PDF 5

Advances in Radiotherapy Detailed at Cancer Summit Organized by Varian Medical Systems Berlin, Germany, October 20th 2011

Cancer experts from around the world gathered in Berlin today to hear of advances in radiotherapy that are bringing additional treatment possibilities for cancer patients. More than 450 oncologists, physicists and radiotherapy practitioners are at the two-day Berlin Oncology Summit, organized by Varian Medical Systems, to share experiences and highlight the expanding use of radiotherapy and radiosurgery to treat an increasingly wide range of cancers.

To read more click here: PDF 6

Leading Swedish University Hospital Orders Four TrueBeam Radiotherapy Systems from Varian Medical Systems

Lund University Hospital Replaces Incumbent Equipment and Software with Advanced Varian Systems in Mission to Reduce Waiting Times  Varian Medical Systems has been awarded a contract to supply four TrueBeam™ treatment systems to Lund University Hospital in Sweden, one of the country’s largest radiotherapy departments. The order, confirmed in September, is aimed at cutting treatment waiting lists in the Skåne region of Sweden and includes an option to acquire two further TrueBeam systems in 2014.

To read more click here: PDF 7

World-Renowned Cancer Center to Become All-TrueBeam Clinic in Battle Against Cancer

Maastro Clinic in Maastricht Acquires Varian TrueBeam™ Systems for Advanced Radiotherapy Treatments. One of Europe’s leading cancer centers will be offering radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatments using fast and precise TrueBeam systems from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR). The Maastro Clinic has acquired three TrueBeam systems for its main site in Maastricht and a satellite site in nearby Venlo as part of a project to replace all its equipment and software from an incumbent supplier.

To read more click here: PDF 8

Australia's Prince of Wales Hospital Launches New Era of Targeted Lung Cancer Treatments with Elekta's Advanced 4D Motion Management Technology

First use of Symmetry motion management software in Australasia makes 75-year-old's treatment more precise.

To successfully irradiate a moving lung tumor requires doctors to find a way either to stop the tumor from moving or a means to compensate for its motion. On September 8, clinicians at Prince of Wales Hospital Cancer Centre (Randwick, New South Wales) chose the second option, using Elekta's Symmetry™ respiratory motion management software for the first time to treat a 75-year-old male patient with a tumor that moved back and forth with his breathing. Symmetry enables physicians to visualize the tumor's complete range of motion and then ensures that the tumor is always positioned in the treatment beam regardless of its movement.

To read more click here: PDF 9


Radiotherapy Jobs: The latest international vacancies

Therapeutic Radiographer
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
http://www.radpro.org.uk/jobpages/job0063.html

Radiotherapy Sales and Applications Specialist

Over the past 12 years, Oncology Imaging Systems has established itself as the leading supplier of patient positioning devices to radiotherapy departments in the UK and Ireland. Click on this link to find out more about this opportunity.

http://www.radpro.org.uk/jobpages/job0062.html

For all the other latest jobs click here:

http://www.radpro.org.uk/jobs/employment.php


CompareRad.com

www.CompareRad.com the first Radiotherapy and Radiology product comparison website…Simple!


Upcoming e-Lectron features

December 2011: Education and Radiotherapy recruitment special including CPD for radiographers and the new RadPro CPD blog site with a radiography student training feature.

January 2012: General radiotherapy news edition

February: Prostate and Breast cancer treatment update

March: Your feature subject of choice? Just let us know at admin@RadPro.eu now

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Duncan Hynd, Novermber 2011

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