1st Line Oncology First in North America to Begin Cancer Treatments Using Elekta VMAT and Monaco Planning Software

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., and ATLANTA, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- While a prostate cancer diagnosis is never good news, a 53-year-old male patient at 1st Line Oncology learned quickly his cancer was detected early and that he would be among the world's first to benefit from an advanced arc-based treatment, recently enhanced with sophisticated new planning software. For his treatment, 1st Line Oncology is using Elekta VMAT planned with Monaco® software, which is optimized for this rapid radiotherapy delivery method.

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"Before treatment, Dr. Kaplan at 1st Line said this technique reduces the treatment time by two-thirds*," says the patient, a managing professional in Florida. "The first session seemed very fast*. There's a 50-inch screen on the ceiling that plays music. I listened to a couple of songs and the treatment was over."

The first of the patient's 25 Elekta VMAT sessions, or fractions, occurred March 17. He was on and off the patient couch in just under 14 minutes, six minutes faster than a non-arc method. For patients with prostate cancer, short treatments are critical to patient comfort; a full bladder is needed to push the colon upward and away from the radiation field to minimize its exposure.

"Elekta VMAT is fast*, and it's even better with Monaco planning," says Edward J. Kaplan, M.D., radiation oncologist and medical director at 1st Line Oncology.

Refined planning tools to facilitate high quality treatments

Monaco provides key features that allow clinicians to create plans in which the greatest possible therapeutic radiation hits the cancer target while minimizing the dose to healthy normal tissue.

"Monaco allows the clinician to plan around structures effectively," says 1st Line medical dosimetrist Dawn Herring. "With standard planning, we often weren't completely sure if we might have reduced the dose to the bladder and rectum or increased the dose to the prostate. Monaco helps indicate where we can improve the plan."

"In addition," she adds, "the Monte Carlo dose algorithm helps us predict the precise dose the patient will receive, so we can deliver the highest safe dose."

Treatment as a "comfortable experience"

By March 22, the patient completed his fourth fraction and is struck by how easy, fast and convenient the experience has been.

"It's very agreeable. There is no inconvenience and 1st Line Oncology makes sure the facility is open at 7:30 in the morning," he says. "The machine is warmed up and I'm the first person on it. Dr. Kaplan and his staff are very professional and the atmosphere is pleasant -- like a high-end hotel. What could have been a frightening challenge in someone's life -- cancer treatment -- is really more like a comfortable experience."

"Too much talent has been lost to the world for want of a little courage," he continues. "Many people with a serious disease might put off treatment because they fear the treatment itself. If they knew how easy and quick treatments are, they may find the courage to seek therapy before it becomes more serious. I encourage people to use today's technology to take care of themselves."

According to Dr. Kaplan, his prognosis is excellent.

*Actual treatment times may vary

For further information, please contact:

Stina Thorman, Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB

Tel: +46 8 587 254 37, email: [email protected]

Time zone: CET: Central European

Michelle Lee, Director, Global Public Relations and Brand Management, Elekta

Tel: +1 770-670-2447, email: [email protected]

Time zone: ET: Eastern Time

About Elekta

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy and radiosurgery, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care.

Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives, making the future possible today.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 5,000 hospitals globally, and every day more than 100,000 patients receive diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with the help of a solution from the Elekta Group.

Elekta employs around 2,500 employees globally. The corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. For more information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com.

Related Links

1st Line Oncology

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SOURCE Elekta