Elekta's revolution encourages radiotherapy evolution
ELEKTA'S REVOLUTION ENCOURAGES RADIOTHERAPY EVOLUTIONElekta Synergy(TM) set to lead the way in image-guided radiotherapyExciting data presented today at the American Society for TherapeuticRadiology and Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting, demonstrate the enormouspotential for the new Elekta Synergy(TM) system to significantly advanceradiotherapy treatment for cancer patients.One in three people will develop cancer in their lifetime and four outof ten cancer patients will receive radiotherapy as part of theirtreatment. Radiation is directed at a patient's tumour in order to killcancerous cells, however, radiation can also affect surrounding healthycells if it is not directed exactly. Traditionally, a scanned image istaken prior to treatment to identify the exact location of the cancertumour. However, an enlarged radiation field is often used to accountfor the uncertainty of the tumours' position. This uncertainty can bedue to a number of causes:· The accuracy with which the patient can be positioned on the therapymachine.· Movement within the body (e.g. movement caused by breathing).· Changes between the time of scan and actual treatment.The data presented by Dr Mark Oldham, Staff Physicist and DanielLetourneau from William Beaumont Hospital, Michigan, USA, show that bycombining an X-ray volume imaging system and radiotherapy equipment (amedical accelerator) to provide 'real time' images of the tumour duringtreatment, the image quality and treatment accuracy is significantlyimproved.(ref:1,2) A preliminary study for prostate cancer treatmentindicated that it would be possible to attain a planning target volumemargin expansion less than 5mm compared to a conventional 10mm margin(within a 20 minute treatment slot).(ref:1)Mark Oldham said, "Integrated imaging and treatment provides asignificant opportunity to improve the practice of radiation therapy andenhance the outlook for cancer patients. The data presented at ASTRO,together with previous data suggests that the introduction of ElektaSynergy(TM) will be well received by radiation oncologists and patientsalike."The data presented at ASTRO further supports encouraging data presentedat the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO),which reports on the clinical use of Elekta Synergy(TM), describing itas having enormous potential for image-guided radiotherapy and being thecurrent state-of-the-art in image acquisition, reconstruction andprocessing.(ref:3,4) Key findings from the data showed:· Using repeat scans to account for tumour position and movementresulted in the reduction of systematic errors from 0.4-1.3cm (SD) to0.2-0.6cm (SD).· A further reduction in systematic errors to 0.1-0.3cm (SD) wasobtained by treating patients with a small day-to-day variation (<1cmSD) with adaptive radiotherapy and all remaining patients with image-guided radiotherapy.Additional data presented at ESTRO demonstrate that online(simultaneous) imaging and adaptation of a treatment plan to the actualshape and position of the target volume (tumour) will improve theoutcome in specific cancer radiotherapy treatment cases.(ref:5)The success of Elekta Synergy(TM) has been brought about through closecollaboration between Elekta and the following research sites:· Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada· William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA· Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK· The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The NetherlandsVolker Stieber, Elekta Executive Vice President - Technology Development& Operations, acknowledged the aptness of the new product's name,"Synergy is defined as two or more entities working together, whereinthe sum is greater than each individual's contribution. ElektaSynergy(TM) adds dedicated imaging technology to a proven treatmentplatform, creating a system that is truly more than the sum of itsparts."Elekta Synergy(TM) system is pending 510(k) pre-market clearance and isnot currently available for sale or distribution in the USA.Notes to editors:· For further information regarding Elekta Synergy(TM) and other Elektaproducts, please visit www.elekta.com· Images of Elekta Synergy(TM) can be accessed at the following websiteaddress: www.elekta.com/investors For further information, please contact:US Media Enquiries International Media EnquiriesMichelle Lee Laura TipplePR & Advertising Manager Account Manager+1 770 670 2447 +44 207 313 [email protected] [email protected] Investor Enquiries International Investor EnquiriesLars Jonsteg Peter EjemyrVice President Investor Group Vice President CorporateRelations North America Communications+1 770 670 2419 +46 8 587 254 [email protected] [email protected] Elekta:Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiationoncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatmentof cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinicallyeffective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient.References:1. Oldham M, et al. Online volumetric CT-guided radiation therapy.Abstract 101. American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and OncologyAnnual Meeting, October 2003.2. Letourneau D, et al. Implementation of an on-board kilovoltage cone-beam CT imaging system for clinical applications. Abstract 102. AmericanSociety for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Annual Meeting 2003.3. Sonke J, et al. Image quality of a cone beam CT system for imageguided radiotherapy. Oral presentation, abstract 66. European Societyfor Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Annual Meeting, September 2003.4. van Herk M, et al. Clinical implementation of cone-beam CT guidedradiotherapy. Oral presentation, abstract 27. European Society forTherapeutic Radiology and Oncology Annual Meeting, September 2003.5. Remeijer M, et al. CT imaging for RT: Is one scan sufficient? Posterpresentation, abstract 19. European Society for Therapeutic Radiologyand Oncology Annual Meeting, September 2003.------------------------------------------------------------This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.netThe following files are available for download:http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00070/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00070/wkr0002.pdf