Cancer Patients Treated Using RapidArc Radiotherapy Technology, a Fast, Precise Cancer Treatment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Huntington-Melville, New York, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 23, 2010 -- Huntington, New York August 23, 2010 -- North Shore Radiation Therapy continues treating cancer patients with RapidArc radiotherapy technology, a fast, precise form of treatment using advanced technology from Varian Medical Systems. The RapidArc treatment is two to eight times faster than conventional forms of radiotherapy.

Patients are being treated with RapidArc with cancers of the prostate, lung, head and neck tumors among other disease sites.

"RapidArc makes it possible for us deliver highly-precise intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatments quickly," said Heather Zinkin, M.D., a Radiation Oncologist at North Shore Radiation Therapy. "These treatments target tumors accurately while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. Because they're fast, RapidArc 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 RapidArc 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, shape, 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 RapidArc 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 treatment option," says Jeffrey Musmacher, Chief Operating Officer of North Shore Radiation Therapy. "RapidArc technology is enabling us to target some types of cancer very accurately while sparing healthy tissue. This combined with our arsenal of cancer tools including our Cyberknife we are positioned to fight cancer with the latest technology available."

Since 1988, North Shore Radiation Therapy has provided premier radiation therapy services in New York State. The center offers Cyberknife Radiosurgery, 3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy, IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy), 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 radiosurgery and IGRT in Suffolk County. The centers are staffed by board certified physicians and highly trained clinicians with expertise in utilizing the most advanced radiation therapy technology. Located in Huntington and Smithtown, New York, the centers are open Monday through Friday and accept all insurance plans. Appointments can be made by calling (631) 427-2273. You can also visit our website at www.cancer-radiation.com or www.cyberknifeoflongisland.com.

More information can be found online at http://www.cancer-radiation.com

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