Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Acquires Multiple Elekta Cancer Management Systems
GILBERT, Ariz., USA, Feb. 7 – Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center (Gilbert, Arizona, USA) recently acquired Elekta cancer management solutions, including two Elekta Infinity™ radiation therapy systems, each with an Agility™* 160-leaf multileaf collimator (MLC) and a HexaPOD™ patient positioning system. The center also purchased new modules for its MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System and Clarity® Soft Tissue Visualization system for image guided radiation therapy.
"We are thrilled to be able to offer our cancer patients the latest technology developments from Elekta,” says Matthew Callister, M.D., Division Chief for Radiation Oncology, Banner MD Anderson. “This commitment will ensure state-of-the-art cancer treatment options and continued innovative leadership from Banner MD Anderson in the Arizona community."
“The growth in radiation oncology has required that we add more capacity and we have chosen advanced equipment that will both expand our capacities and provide us with new technology," says Stephen Sapareto, Director of Medical Physics at Banner MD Anderson. "We are all very excited to be able to offer even better options to our patients.”
With its 160 high-speed, 5 mm-wide beam-shaping leaves, Agility is able to conform to the shape of the patient’s tumor, ensuring that the lesion is well targeted with improved avoidance of healthy tissues. Moreover, Agility was designed to significantly reduce the leakage of radiation from between the MLC leaves, which also translates into a decreased radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues. Agility can help reduce the patient’s time on the treatment table and lowers the chance that the patient will move during treatment.
“We are pleased to welcome Banner MD Anderson into the Elekta family of clinical users,” says Jay Hoey, Executive Vice President, Elekta North America. “We’re confident that this is the beginning of a long-term collaboration, in which we mutually strive toward better outcomes and an improved quality of life for patients with cancer.”
*Agility is not available for sale or distribution in all markets. Please contact your local Elekta representative for details.
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The above information is such that Elekta shall make public in accordance with the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was published at 07:30 CET on February 7, 2013.
For further information, please contact:
Michelle Joiner, Director, Global Public Relations and Brand Management, Elekta
Tel: +1 770-670-2447, e-mail: [email protected]
Time zone: ET: Eastern Time
About Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Banner Health and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center opened the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center on Sept. 26, 2011 on the campus of Banner Gateway Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona.
The center joins Banner Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit hospital systems, with MD Anderson, internationally renowned for its cancer treatment and research, to deliver unprecedented levels of cancer care in Arizona.
MD Anderson’s mission to “eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, education and prevention” complements Banner Health’s mission “to make a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care.”
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.
Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,400 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. Website: www.elekta.com.