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