News/PR
Bay Medical Zeros In On Prostate Cancer Using Three-Dimensional Ultrasound And Optical Guidance Technology
September 20, 2005
New patient positioning technology enables doctors to target tumors more precisely
Panama City, Florida-New technology at the Bay Medical Regional Cancer Center enables radiation oncologists to pinpoint cancerous tumors precisely for accurate treatment with radiation beams while surrounding healthy tissues are protected.
The hospital's new SonArray patient positioning system from Varian Medical Systems uses real-time 3-D ultrasound images and optical guidance to fine-tune the patient's position on the treatment table just prior to treatment.
Radiation therapy for cancer is generally delivered daily over a six- to eight-week period. Research has shown that the position of the tumor changes each day due to normal physiological processes. "Even when patients are placed in precisely the same position for their daily treatments, some tumors can shift by as much as two to three centimeters over six to eight weeks of therapy," said Dr. R. Charles Nichols, a Board Certified Radiation Oncologist on staff at Bay Medical.
SonArray uses three-dimensional ultrasound imaging to locate the tumor while the patient is in the treatment position. Its optical guidance system then provides precise information so that positioning adjustments can be made to ensure that radiation beams are always aimed precisely at the tumor, further minimizing the volume of healthy tissue exposed during treatment.
The SonArray system is particularly useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, due to normal internal and external movement of the prostate gland. It enables clinicians to better protect the sensitive nearby rectum and bladder, minimizing undesirable side effects. SonArray can also be used to treat other internal organ cancers, especially those in the pelvic region.
"SonArray tumor localization will help us harness the power of recent advances in radiation therapy like IMRT and stereotactic radiotherapy," said Dr. Nichols. "As these techniques make radiation therapy more and more precisely focused, it becomes absolutely essential that we can accurately localize the tumor prior to each treatment. The SonArray system helps us to do that."
For more information on prostate cancer treatment at Bay Medical, please call Christa Hild at 747-6542.