18 September 2012 – In the latest edition of New ProLiv there is news of a lecture by Dr. Karin Braide, Oncologist at Jubilee Clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. The lecture was held at the Patient Association Proliv West's second quarterly meeting earlier this year and was entitled Modern Prostate Cancer Treatment.
The article explains that prostate cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for over a third of all male cancers, and a new case is detected every hour in Sweden. Further it is said that all treatments of prostate cancer are almost always associated with side effects of various types.
Dr. Karin Braide is double specialist in both Oncology and Urology who talks about the study underway at Sahlgrenska with "GPS-like technology" (RayPilot®) to increase the precision of radiation as described in the text below:
"At the moment, we are also doing a study, which examines a "GPS-like" technology to increase the precision of radiation therapy. A small transmitter is inserted into the prostate, with which you can then aim the radiation to the area to be treated. With this technology, you can also shorten the treatment time very significantly, because the patient may be given higher doses of radiation at each fraction. The important thing is of course that radiotherapy lead to a cure, but also that this can be done with as few side effects as possible. Better technology and higher precision also reduce the side effects."
"It is very important that the margins around the target lesion in radiotherapy be as small as possible to reduce the risk of damage to nearby organs like bowel and bladder."
"Radiotherapy is associated with various undesirable side effects. At issue are the acute problems in the form of diarrhea and bleeding, urination, and fatigue. Later, the patient may suffer more prolonged intestinal discomfort and urinary urgency (5–7 percent). Erectile failure, impotence is also common (about 50 percent after two years). Precise, accurate beam guidance technology such as that of the RayPilot ®can reduce undesirable side effects".
"Dr. Karin Braide spoke at the end of his lecture on some studies ongoing at the Sahlgrenska hospital. One such a study is about the new "GPS-like" RayPilot® technology in radiotherapy, which helps to position the prostate via continuous tracking. This is important because the prostate moves in the body, which is a problem if you want to treat with as little margin as possible."
"Dr. Karin Braide has initiated a new research project that deals with postoperative radiotherapy. This type of radiation therapy has not been used for so long and today, one is not sure when to perform the treatment, nor exactly where to treat, because the prostate has been removed. This is an important issue to investigate that also affects a large number of patients. It is also important to find a technique that gives as few side effects as possible."
The full article can be read on pages 4-9 in the last Proliv New which can be downloaded at: www.proliv.se/media/2797/pln_nr_70_hems_slutlig.pdf
About Micropos Medical AB
Micropos Medical AB (www.micropos.se) develops and sells products for precision treatment of cancer. The company has developed the RayPilot® system for increased precision in radiotherapy of prostate cancer. The RayPilot® system is an electromagnetic positioning system that initially enables real time position of the prostate for a fast and objective set-up and for continuous positioning during the treatment. A precise and safe localization of the tumor can dramatically improve the outcome of the treatment, particularly for hypofractionated protocols.