Brain Cancer Patients at Two Leading Hospitals Treated Using Fast and Efficient RapidArc Radiotherapy Technology from Varian Medic...(tissue surrounding the tumor. Unrelated ...)

Studies Revealed at AAPM

VU Medical Center's studies into the use of Varian RapidArc plans for brain metastases and other key tumor sites were showcased at this year's American Association of Physics in Medicine (AAPM) show in Houston in July. Delivered using a Varian linear accelerator and measured in a solid water phantom, the 25 resulting film measurements showed high agreement with calculations, the VU team concluded. "RapidArc accurately delivers the planned dose distributions," stated Dr. Wilko Verbakel, medical physicist at VU Medical Center.

Dr. Ben Slotman, head of the radiation oncology department of VU University medical center said the hospital, among the first in Europe to introduce Varian's RapidArc, began clinical treatments using this fast and efficient form of volumetric modulated arc therapy in early May and more than 20 patients have so far been treated using the capability. "In the first few months we used RapidArc to replace IMRT treatments for head & neck, brain and prostate tumors but from September onwards RapidArc will replace all conventional IMRT," said Dr. Slotman. "Treatment planning is at least as good, and sometimes even better, than with conventional IMRT and planning and delivery using RapidArc is significantly faster."

Editorial contact: Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of t
'/>"/>