Wednesday, October 8, 2008
North Shore Radiation Therapy Treating Cancer Using Rapid Arc(TM) Radiotherapy Technology, a Fast, Precise Cancer Treatment
Radiation Therapy Technology from Varian Medical Systems has potential to improve cancer care while reducing the cost of treatment
Huntington, New York -- October 08, 2008 -- North Shore Radiation Therapy in Huntington, New York has started treating cancer patients with Rapid Arc™ radiotherapy technology, a fast, precise form of treatment using advanced technology from Varian Medical Systems. The new Rapid Arc™ treatment is two to eight times faster than conventional forms of radiotherapy. This precision can make a significant difference in the patient’s outcome. This IMRT treatment, which takes about 90 seconds, is delivered significantly faster than other regional facilities where treatment time can last 20 minutes or longer. Reducing this time means treatment can be delivered before the patient becomes uncomfortable and potentially moves. “Rapid Arc makes it possible for us deliver highly-precise intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatments quickly,” said Richard Byrnes M.D., Medical Director. “These treatments target tumors accurately while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. Because they’re fast, Rapid Arc treatments are also easier on the patient. It’s hard for people to hold still for long periods of time. By delivering doses more quickly, we can simultaneously improve the quality of care and make our patients more comfortable.” North Shore Radiation Therapy’s Rapid Arc radiotherapy treatment is delivered with just a single rotation of the treatment machine around the patient. During that rotation, the treatment beam is continually shaped and reshaped according to the size, contour and position of the tumor within the body. The beam shaping is accomplished using a beam-shaping device called a multi-leaf collimator (MLC). This device has 120 computer-controlled mechanical “leaves” or “fingers” that move to create apertures of different shapes and sizes. During a Rapid Arc treatment, specialized software algorithms vary three parameters simultaneously: the speed of rotation around the patient, the shape of the MLC aperture, and the dose delivery rate. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer patients this exciting new treatment option,” says Jeffrey Musmacher, Chief Operating Officer. “Varian's Rapid Arc technology is enabling us to target some types of cancer very accurately while sparing healthy tissue.”
Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services to Suffolk County. The center offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), Rapid Arc, Partial Breast, skin and Gynecological Brachytherapy. North Shore Radiation Therapy is the most experienced in all modalities of prostate cancer radiation therapy including seeds and IMRT in Suffolk County. The center is staffed by board certified physicians, and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at in Huntington, and Smithtown, New York, the center is open Monday through Friday, and accepts all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can visit the website at www.cancer-radiation.com.
Contact: Jeffrey S. Musmacher
Chief Operating Officer
(631) 427-2273
jmusmacher@cancer-radiation.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
North Shore Radiation Therapy is First on Long Island to Treat Patients with the Contura Applicator for Partial Breast Radiation
Powerful new approach for the treatment of breast cancers in only five days
(Huntington, NY) - North Shore Radiation Therapy has become the first cancer center on Long Island to treat breast cancer patients with a revolutionary new technique using the Contura device from Senorx.
The Contura Brachytherapy procedure is a partial-breast radiation treatment that allows breast cancer patients requiring radiation therapy after a lumpectomy to be treated in five days, rather than six to seven weeks for whole-breast irradiation.
“Brachytherapy is from the Greek word meaning ‘close’ or ‘internal,’ referring to a way of delivering treatment from inside rather than outside,” explained Maged Ghaly, M.D., “By targeting treatment from inside the breast, we can complete radiation treatment in 5 days, allowing patients to return more quickly to their day-to-day lives.”
Radiation therapy is given to most patients who have a lumpectomy for breast cancer, to kill cancer cells or prevent them from reproducing or spreading, reducing the risk of recurrence. Whole breast irradiation uses a radiation source outside the body to treat the cancer site, typically involving daily treatments for six days per week over a six- to seven-week period.
Many breast cancer patients may be appropriate candidates for alternatives to whole breast radiation treatment known as partial breast irradiation or breast brachytherapy, a technique for delivering internally targeted radiation. Breast brachytherapy delivers radiation to the breast tissue surrounding the lumpectomy cavity rather than to the entire breast.
The Contura is a small balloon-based device implanted into the breast to treat the tissue surrounding the cavity left by lumpectomy surgery. After being inserted, the balloon is inflated and filled with saline; vacuum is used to help the balloon fit closely within the often irregularly shaped lumpectomy cavity. Then a radiation seed is sent through five separate “lumens” or channels inside the balloon, allowing the radiation dose to be “contoured” to reach the targeted area.
“The dose is directed by where the seed sits in the balloon, allowing us to concentrate the radiation dose on the tumor area,” explained Heather Zinkin, M.D. “If the seed were too close to the skin in channel one, we might place the seed in channels three or four for a longer time than in channel one.”
Before the introduction of Contura in 2007, balloon brachytherapy was available with only a single channel for delivery of the radiation seed. Some patients who were possible candidates for the therapy were excluded because the location of the lesion relative to their breast size did not allow appropriate placement of the radiation seed to minimize radiation dose to the skin, chest wall or ribs.
Contura Multi-Lumen Balloon Brachytherapy was developed to address this problem by using five separate channels to place the radiation seed. It also employs vacuum suction to help the balloon fit closely within the often irregularly shaped lumpectomy cavity, so the targeted areas receive the prescribed therapeutic dose.
“The multiple channels of the Contura and its vacuum feature help the physician to shape or contour the radiation dose to obtain a more optimal result,” said Richard Byrnes, M.D., “We are able to better target the radiation to the areas in most need of treatment.”
Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services to Suffolk County. The center offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), RapidArc, Prostate Brachytherapy, Mammosite, Contura and Gynecological Brachytherapy. North Shore Radiation Therapy is the most experienced in prostate cancer treatment in Suffolk County. The center is staffed by board certified physicians, and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at in Huntington, and Smithtown, New York, the center is open Monday through Friday, and accepts all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can visit the website at http://www.cancer-radiation.com/
(Huntington, NY) - North Shore Radiation Therapy has become the first cancer center on Long Island to treat breast cancer patients with a revolutionary new technique using the Contura device from Senorx.
The Contura Brachytherapy procedure is a partial-breast radiation treatment that allows breast cancer patients requiring radiation therapy after a lumpectomy to be treated in five days, rather than six to seven weeks for whole-breast irradiation.
“Brachytherapy is from the Greek word meaning ‘close’ or ‘internal,’ referring to a way of delivering treatment from inside rather than outside,” explained Maged Ghaly, M.D., “By targeting treatment from inside the breast, we can complete radiation treatment in 5 days, allowing patients to return more quickly to their day-to-day lives.”
Radiation therapy is given to most patients who have a lumpectomy for breast cancer, to kill cancer cells or prevent them from reproducing or spreading, reducing the risk of recurrence. Whole breast irradiation uses a radiation source outside the body to treat the cancer site, typically involving daily treatments for six days per week over a six- to seven-week period.
Many breast cancer patients may be appropriate candidates for alternatives to whole breast radiation treatment known as partial breast irradiation or breast brachytherapy, a technique for delivering internally targeted radiation. Breast brachytherapy delivers radiation to the breast tissue surrounding the lumpectomy cavity rather than to the entire breast.
The Contura is a small balloon-based device implanted into the breast to treat the tissue surrounding the cavity left by lumpectomy surgery. After being inserted, the balloon is inflated and filled with saline; vacuum is used to help the balloon fit closely within the often irregularly shaped lumpectomy cavity. Then a radiation seed is sent through five separate “lumens” or channels inside the balloon, allowing the radiation dose to be “contoured” to reach the targeted area.
“The dose is directed by where the seed sits in the balloon, allowing us to concentrate the radiation dose on the tumor area,” explained Heather Zinkin, M.D. “If the seed were too close to the skin in channel one, we might place the seed in channels three or four for a longer time than in channel one.”
Before the introduction of Contura in 2007, balloon brachytherapy was available with only a single channel for delivery of the radiation seed. Some patients who were possible candidates for the therapy were excluded because the location of the lesion relative to their breast size did not allow appropriate placement of the radiation seed to minimize radiation dose to the skin, chest wall or ribs.
Contura Multi-Lumen Balloon Brachytherapy was developed to address this problem by using five separate channels to place the radiation seed. It also employs vacuum suction to help the balloon fit closely within the often irregularly shaped lumpectomy cavity, so the targeted areas receive the prescribed therapeutic dose.
“The multiple channels of the Contura and its vacuum feature help the physician to shape or contour the radiation dose to obtain a more optimal result,” said Richard Byrnes, M.D., “We are able to better target the radiation to the areas in most need of treatment.”
Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services to Suffolk County. The center offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), RapidArc, Prostate Brachytherapy, Mammosite, Contura and Gynecological Brachytherapy. North Shore Radiation Therapy is the most experienced in prostate cancer treatment in Suffolk County. The center is staffed by board certified physicians, and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at in Huntington, and Smithtown, New York, the center is open Monday through Friday, and accepts all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can visit the website at http://www.cancer-radiation.com/
Contact Information:
North Shore Radiation Therapy
Jeffrey S. Musmacher
Chief Operating Officer
631-427-2273
jmusmacher@cancer-radiation.com
http://www.cancer-radiation.com/
North Shore Radiation Therapy
Jeffrey S. Musmacher
Chief Operating Officer
631-427-2273
jmusmacher@cancer-radiation.com
http://www.cancer-radiation.com/
Friday, June 20, 2008
NEW Treatment for Breast Cancer
Partial Breast Radiation Therapy with Brachytherapy Using a Multicatheter Balloon
Contura - Multi-Lumen Balloon Applicator
North Shore Radiation Therapy is the FIRST ON LONG ISLAND to offer patients this NEW INNOVATIVE BREAST CANCER TREATMENT in ONLY 5 DAYS. This new breast cancer radiation therapy option is through internal radiation. This is commonly known as breast brachytherapy.
This is done by placing a radiation source inside the body. This process has three important advantages:
It places the radiation inside the lumpectomy cavity (the space left when a tumor is removed). The radiation is targeted to the area where cancer is most likely to recur.
Radiation is delivered from the within the cavity, limiting the amount or radiation to healthy surrounding tissue, thereby reducing the potential for side effects to occur.
The therapy can be completed in 5 days in an out patient setting.
A Simple Way To Deliver Radiation From The Inside
The Contura is a new minimally invasive method of delivering internal radiation therapy following a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Therapy is given on an outpatient basis, so there is no need for a hospital stay and the treat can be completed in 5 days
The Contura is a single small balloon catheter than (A) fits inside the tumor resective cavity (the space left after the surgeon has removed the tumor). A tiny radioactive seed (B), connected to a machine called an afterloader (C), is inserted into the balloon and delivers the radiation therapy.
The Contura is a single small balloon catheter than (A) fits inside the tumor resective cavity (the space left after the surgeon has removed the tumor). A tiny radioactive seed (B), connected to a machine called an afterloader (C), is inserted into the balloon and delivers the radiation therapy.
This focuses the radiation dose on the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence. Radiation therapy with this device is preformed over a period of 1 - 5 days. When used alone, patients typically receive treatment twice a day for 5 days.
If your doctor feels that external beam radiation is appropriate for you, the Contura may also be used a boost therapy in conjunction with external beam radiation. A boost is a procedure that delivers additional therapy directly to the area of the breast at highest risk for tumor recurrence.
The safety and effectiveness of the brachytherapy as a replacement for whole breast irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer has not been established. Please consult with your Radiation Oncologist to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Contura.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
North Shore Radiation Therapy Offers Prostate Cancer Patients The Latest Tool For Precise Treatment
HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - (Business Wire) Technology to deliver high dose radiotherapy for cancer treatment has constantly been improving and physicians in continue to be faced with the difficulty of treating a moving target. Sophisticated techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have been developed to produce highly conformal beams to minimize dose to healthy tissues. However, without accounting for organ motion, the benefits of these technologies cannot be realized. Radiation Oncologists at North Shore Radiation Therapy in New York are able to account for this motion.
The introduction of image guided radiation therapy, or IGRT, has revolutionized the delivery of modern day radiotherapy for prostate cancer. IGRT combines imaging with treatment delivery to provide up to real-time of the patient's organs in the treatment position, at the time of treatment, optimizing accuracy and precision. Organs including, but not limited to the lung, prostate and bladder tend to move as much as centimeters during the course of treatment and image guidance allows the physician to target and track tumors with pinpoint precision.
There are several techniques used to achieve image guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer. For some tumors, gold markers can be placed in the tumor. The patient is imaged daily prior to each radiation treatment. This is called on board imaging, or OBI. Patients who prefer not to have markers placed can be treated with other image guided techniques such as cone beam CT scan or ultrasound. In cone beam CT, the imager is rotated around the patient to quickly acquire a high-quality, low dose 3-D image of the tumor and surrounding anatomy. These 3-D images are compared to reference images from the treatment plan. Through 3-D image matching, which can be accomplished manually or automatically, shifts are calculated and the patient is moved into position for treatment. This technique is particularly useful for treatment sites that are far away from bony landmarks.
With the third technique, an ultrasound is performed daily prior to each treatment. The images are compared with reference images and the patient is shifted accordingly.
“Image guided radiation therapy allows physicians to treat with pinpoint accuracy diseases including brain tumors, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and spine tumors, as well as many others” stated Dr. Heather Zinkin, a board certified Radiation Oncologist at North Shore Radiation Therapy.
Their facilities house state of the art technology and patients can be treated using on board imaging, cone beam CT and ultrasound for high precision therapy.
About North Shore Radiation Therapy
Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services to Suffolk County. The center offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT, IGRT, SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), RapidArc, Prostate Brachytherapy, Mammosite and Gynecological Brachytherapy. North Shore Radiation Therapy is the most experienced in prostate cancer treatment in Suffolk County. The center is staffed by board certified physicians, and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at in Huntington, and Smithtown, New York, the center is open Monday through Friday, and accepts all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can visit the website at www.cancer-radiation.com.
North Shore Radiation Therapy
Jeffrey S. Musmacher
631-427-2273
jmusmacher@cancer-radiation.com
http://www.cancer-radiation.com
The introduction of image guided radiation therapy, or IGRT, has revolutionized the delivery of modern day radiotherapy for prostate cancer. IGRT combines imaging with treatment delivery to provide up to real-time of the patient's organs in the treatment position, at the time of treatment, optimizing accuracy and precision. Organs including, but not limited to the lung, prostate and bladder tend to move as much as centimeters during the course of treatment and image guidance allows the physician to target and track tumors with pinpoint precision.
There are several techniques used to achieve image guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer. For some tumors, gold markers can be placed in the tumor. The patient is imaged daily prior to each radiation treatment. This is called on board imaging, or OBI. Patients who prefer not to have markers placed can be treated with other image guided techniques such as cone beam CT scan or ultrasound. In cone beam CT, the imager is rotated around the patient to quickly acquire a high-quality, low dose 3-D image of the tumor and surrounding anatomy. These 3-D images are compared to reference images from the treatment plan. Through 3-D image matching, which can be accomplished manually or automatically, shifts are calculated and the patient is moved into position for treatment. This technique is particularly useful for treatment sites that are far away from bony landmarks.
With the third technique, an ultrasound is performed daily prior to each treatment. The images are compared with reference images and the patient is shifted accordingly.
“Image guided radiation therapy allows physicians to treat with pinpoint accuracy diseases including brain tumors, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and spine tumors, as well as many others” stated Dr. Heather Zinkin, a board certified Radiation Oncologist at North Shore Radiation Therapy.
Their facilities house state of the art technology and patients can be treated using on board imaging, cone beam CT and ultrasound for high precision therapy.
About North Shore Radiation Therapy
Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services to Suffolk County. The center offers 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT, IGRT, SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), RapidArc, Prostate Brachytherapy, Mammosite and Gynecological Brachytherapy. North Shore Radiation Therapy is the most experienced in prostate cancer treatment in Suffolk County. The center is staffed by board certified physicians, and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located at in Huntington, and Smithtown, New York, the center is open Monday through Friday, and accepts all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can visit the website at www.cancer-radiation.com.
North Shore Radiation Therapy
Jeffrey S. Musmacher
631-427-2273
jmusmacher@cancer-radiation.com
http://www.cancer-radiation.com
Monday, April 7, 2008
Prostate IGRT Radiation Treatment
A new technology at North Shore Radiation Therapy enables physicians to precisely adjust for daily variations in the position of a tumor before treating it with high doses of radiation.The medical community has a new way to offer patients prostate cancer treatment. This new technology, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), helps to pinpoint the treatment position for radiation therapy and correct for daily changes in tumor location due to set-up uncertainties, weight, and organ movement.
This technology, which is embedded in a linear accelerator, a device that delivers radiation therapy, allows Radiation Oncologists on Long Island to generate real-time CT images of the patient's anatomy directly from the treatment machine. Within seconds, calculations determine if an adjustment is needed to align the tumor perfectly within the radiation beam. Any corrections, which may be as tiny as 1 to 2 millimeters, are automatically made by adjusting the position of the patient before treatment.
Unlike conventional radiation therapy, the real-time imaging used in IGRT allows each radiation therapy treatment to be delivered to its intended site with pinpoint accuracy, sparing healthy surrounding tissue without significantly increasing the total dose to the patient.
This technology collects treatment data and helps report the effectiveness og treatment. This allows your Radiation Oncologist to further refine treatment techniques to adapt to changs that may occur during your treatment course at North Shore Radiation Therapy.
Through it's precision targeting, IGRT can mitigate many of the side effects caused by radiation therapy, such as dry mouth, weight loss, dry skin, fatigue, nausea and bowel dysfunction.
If you would like to receive a consultation by one of our Board Certified, American College of Radiation Oncology physicians, please call us at (631) 427-2273. This treatment is offered in both our Smithtown and Greenlawn Centers on Long Island in New York.
This technology, which is embedded in a linear accelerator, a device that delivers radiation therapy, allows Radiation Oncologists on Long Island to generate real-time CT images of the patient's anatomy directly from the treatment machine. Within seconds, calculations determine if an adjustment is needed to align the tumor perfectly within the radiation beam. Any corrections, which may be as tiny as 1 to 2 millimeters, are automatically made by adjusting the position of the patient before treatment.
Unlike conventional radiation therapy, the real-time imaging used in IGRT allows each radiation therapy treatment to be delivered to its intended site with pinpoint accuracy, sparing healthy surrounding tissue without significantly increasing the total dose to the patient.
This technology collects treatment data and helps report the effectiveness og treatment. This allows your Radiation Oncologist to further refine treatment techniques to adapt to changs that may occur during your treatment course at North Shore Radiation Therapy.
Through it's precision targeting, IGRT can mitigate many of the side effects caused by radiation therapy, such as dry mouth, weight loss, dry skin, fatigue, nausea and bowel dysfunction.
If you would like to receive a consultation by one of our Board Certified, American College of Radiation Oncology physicians, please call us at (631) 427-2273. This treatment is offered in both our Smithtown and Greenlawn Centers on Long Island in New York.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Mammosite Breast Brachytherapy
Last year, North Shore Radiation Therapy continued it's groundbreaking treatments for breast cancer. In 2007, more women underwent targeted partial breast radiation therapy, called MammoSite, at North Shore Radiation Therapy, than anywhere else in the region.
MammoSite was approved by the FDA in 2002. Since then, more than 35,000 women have been treated with this remarkable procedure which is the most widely utilized and accepted method of accelerated partial breast irradiation. MammoSite therapy delivers radiation internally, directly to the site of the tumor, where the likelihood of recurrence is greatest.
North Shore Radiation Therapy is proud to play a role in "success stories" for women who have battled breast cancer. Many of the community's surgeons from Suffolk County and surrounding areas have participated in TCC's MammoSite program, contributing to this great achievement. This New Year, the physicians and staff of North Shore Radiation Therapy look forward to spreading the word on this innovative treatment and helping more and more women get back to their normal lives.
This is how MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy simplifies breast cancer treatment…
1. Placement
After the breast cancer tumor is removed (lumpectomy), a small, soft MammoSite balloon attached to a thin tube (catheter) is placed inside the lumpectomy cavity through a small incision in the breast.
- The balloon is “inflated” with saline solution so that it fits snugly into the cavity. It remains inflated during the 5-day treatment.
- A small portion of the catheter remains outside the breast; this is secured to a cushioned gauze pad to prevent movement of the catheter.
2. Treatment
- Treatment is planned by a radiation oncologist who will take images of the MammoSite balloon catheter in the breast and determine the amount of radiation needed.
- During therapy, the portion of the catheter that remains outside your breast is connected to a computer-controlled High Dose Rate (HDR) machine that inserts a radiation “seed” to deliver the therapy.
- Once therapy is complete, the seed is removed, the catheter is unplugged, and you will be free to return to your normal daily activities.
- No radiation remains inside your breast in between treatments.
3. Removal
- After 5 days of treatment, your MammoSite balloon catheter will be removed, usually on the last day of treatment.
- The balloon is gently removed through the same incision made to place it.
For more information, call North Shore Radiation Therapy at
(631) 864-5600 or visit their website at www.licancer.com
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