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VMAT takes Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to the next levelby simultaneously controlling the position and speed of the linear acceleratorgantry, the multileaf collimator and dose rate. The flexibility andvariability of VMAT provides highly conformal dose distribution to eachtarget, sparing surrounding healthy tissue more effectively than othertreatment methods to reduce the possibility of negative side effects.
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VMAT treatments also take significantly less time than other radiationtherapy techniques, making the treatment more comfortable for the patient andfurther increasing the likelihood of precise dose delivery.
Jim Warrington, head of Radiotherapy Physics at The Royal MarsdenHospital, reports on the first VMAT patient, who was treated for lung cancer:"The patient received a single 340-degree arc of six megavoltage X-rays, withsimultaneously variable dose-rate and dynamic multileaf collimator modulation.The treatment arc delivered a 2 Gray fraction to the target in 93 seconds,approximately half the time it would have taken normally."
VMAT solution will benefit thousands of radiotherapy patients
"Given the potential for non-coplanar deliveries," says Warrington, "VMATwill be a significantly improved treatment modality for The Royal MarsdenHospital's radiotherapy patients." The Royal Marsden Hospital treats about4,000 new radiotherapy patients each year at its Sutton site, and 2,500 at itsChelsea site.
"The efficiency and flexibility of this technique is impressive," addsWarrington, "and we hope to be able to expand the use of this cutting-edgetechnology to become a routine treatment method in the future."
In addition to the new Desktop 7 software, Elekta's VMAT solution includesthe MOSAIQ(TM) image-enabled oncology Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systemand ERGO++, the first treatment planning system to use inverse planningtechniques for rotational therapy. These innovations are now available asupgrade packages for all existing Elekta accelerators.
*Elekta Volumetric Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) is pendingregulatory approvals in certain markets, including 510(k) clearance in the US,and is not yet available for commercial sale in the US.
About Elekta
Elekta is an international medical technology group, providingoncologists, radiation therapists, neurosurgeons and many other medicalspecialists with state-of-the-art tools to fight serious disease.
Elekta provides advanced clinical solutions and comprehensive managementand information systems, as well as services for improved cancer care andmanagement of brain disorders.
Elekta's systems and solutions are used in over 4,500 hospitals around theworld. Clinical and information management solutions include, among others,Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain disorders, ElektaAxesse(TM) and Elekta Synergy(R) for stereotactic and image guided radiationtherapy and radiosurgery, as well as the MOSAIQ(TM) suite of software forimage-enabled EMR and efficient management of clinical and patient data.
With more than 2,000 employees globally, Elekta corporate headquarters arelocated in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchangeunder the ticker EKTAb.
SOURCE Elekta, Inc.
