VEENENDAAL, The Netherlands, March 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the first patients in Europe are to receive treatment for breast cancer using a revolutionary system called AccuBoost. The Italian hospital where the patients are being treated is using the technology to pinpoint the tumour bed and treat it whilst still protecting the patient's healthy surrounding tissue and organs. This is made possible by the system combining real-time mammographic image guidance and non-invasive use of a radiotherapy technique called brachytherapy.
Professor Roberto Orecchia; Director of the Division of Radiotherapy, is leading the use of the new system at the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia in Milan and explained: 'When the patient is treated with AccuBoost, the image is seen in real-time, guaranteeing radiotherapy that is extremely precise in its targeting of the tumour bed. This is a very innovative procedure because for the first time mammography images can be used to guide the radiotherapy treatment in such an extremely precise and adaptive manner. There is also a time benefit, so this year, we will be able to treat 50 percent of patients more quickly and efficiently than before, reducing treatment time from six weeks to three weeks.'
The Istituto Europeo di Oncologia is the first hospital in Europe to use AccuBoost, which was certified for use in Europe just six weeks ago. The technology was developed by Nucletron and ART, two companies specialising in advancing radiation oncology by developing state-of-the-art equipment for high precision brachytherapy. More information is available at http://www.treatwhatyousee.com
About brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a high-precision radiation therapy, in which the radiation source used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours is placed in or close to the tumour itself. The precision brachytherapy approach allows a physician to concentrate a high dose of radiation in a small area, minimising damage to nearby, healthy body tissue and organs, over a shorter treatment period.
About Nucletron
Nucletron is a knowledge-based leader in Radiation Oncology, working with clinical teams to realise innovative solutions that improve patient care. Nucletron strives to offer the best possible choice of radiation modalities through integrated products, software and services. For more information, visit http://www.nucletron.com/.
About ART
ART is a women's health company dedicated to the advancement of partial breast irradiation with the goal of reducing the cancer recurrence rate and minimizing radiation related complications. For more information, visit http://www.accuboost.com/.
For more information contact:
Mark van Braak at Nucletron, Veenendaal on +31-318-557-255 or email mark.vanbraak@nucletron.com. Philip Sheldon at Red Door Communications, London on +44(0)208-392-8093 or email psheldon@rdcomms.com
SOURCE: Nucletron
CONTACT: Mark van Braak at Nucletron, Veenendaal on +31-318-557-255 oremail mark.vanbraak@nucletron.com. Philip Sheldon at Red Door Communications, London on +44(0)208-392-8093 or email psheldon@rdcomms.com
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