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The tumor was removed surgically, and for eight months, Vogel had nofurther problems. Then, in September a new test showed the cancer hadreturned. The cancer had invaded the bone at the base of his skull, makinganother surgery a risky proposition.
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Vogel found his way to the Innovative Cancer Institute in South Floridawhere Dr. Beatriz Amendola, a radiation oncologist, had just begun usingRapidArc(TM) radiotherapy technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR).RapidArc is a new and highly-precise form of treatment that targets tumorsquickly and accurately while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthytissue. "Although Erich's tumor was in a difficult position near the eye,brain, and several vital glands, we were able to design a RapidArc treatmentthat targets the tumor and minimizes exposure of the normal tissues aroundit," Dr. Amendola said.
RapidArc technology delivers an advanced image-guided, intensity-modulatedradiation therapy (IMRT) treatment 2 to 8 times faster than is possible withconventional IMRT technology. Dr. Amendola points out that, once he ispositioned for treatment, Vogel's daily treatments take less than two minutesto complete using RapidArc. The same treatments would have taken more than 10minutes using earlier IMRT technologies.
Vogel appreciates the speed of RapidArc, as he must lie immobilized on atable for each treatment. "The therapists let me know, along the way, how muchtime is left in each treatment, which helps tremendously. But I'm so gratefulfor how fast this process actually is -- I'm on and off the table in no time,which is a super benefit."
According to Dr. Amendola, in addition to patient comfort, there are otherbenefits to faster treatments. "They can further improve treatment precisionbecause patients are less likely to move during shorter treatments," she said,a point that is borne out by published studies that show patients move moreduring longer treatments. Other published studies suggest that fastertreatments may result in higher cancer cell kill rates.
RapidArc radiotherapy technology has now been used for the treatment ofprostate, head and neck, lung, brain, spine, bone, gynecological, and softtissue cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the UnitedStates this year, doctors will diagnose 1,437,180 new cancer cases; over100,000 will occur in the state of Florida.
Note to editors: Dr. Beatriz Amendola of the Innovative Cancer Institutespeaks fluent Spanish as well as English, and can arrange for interviews withpatients who speak either language.
About Innovative Cancer Institute
The Innovative Cancer Institute is a team of physicians & health careprofessionals dedicated to compassionate, personalized & state of art cancertreatment. The Innovative Cancer Institute strives to be the leader inadvanced medical technology with the ultimate goal of providing comfort,emotional support and better quality of life. We are located at 6141 SunsetDrive Suite 102, South Miami Fl 33143, phone (305) 669-6833,[email protected]
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world'sleading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer andother medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, andbrachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managingcomprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncologypractices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors forX-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and alsosupplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection.Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 4,800 people who are located atmanufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in its 60 sales andsupport offices around the world. For more information, visithttp://www.varian.com/.FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: John Worlton, Varian Medical Systems 650-424-6438 or [email protected] Anna Serrame, Innovative Cancer Institute (305) 669-6833 or [email protected]
SOURCE Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
