Saints Medical Center Is the First Hospital in New England to Use GPS for the Body® in Precision-guided Radiation Therapy for Treating Prostate Cancer

GPS for the Body® detects organ motion in real time to deliver targeted radiation therapy

Lowell, MA, June 24, 2008 – Beginning in June, the Cancer Center at Saints Medical Center is the first cancer facility in New England to provide patients with the latest, leading-edge technology to help cure prostate cancer. Using the Calypso® 4D Localization System™, Saints will now offer image-guided radiation therapy delivered to the prostate with continuous, objective, organ-motion detection and monitoring.

Radiation therapy is a noninvasive treatment designed to destroy cancer cells, but the radiation beam must reach the tumor accurately to maximize cure rates and minimize the risk of side effects. “It is very important that radiation target the tumor and avoid unnecessary radiation to healthy tissues,” said Matthew Katz, MD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at the Saints Cancer Center. “Higher doses of radiation therapy for prostate cancer improve cure rates, so accuracy in treating the prostate is essential to optimize cancer outcomes.”

The key feature of the Calypso System is its Beacon® electromagnetic transponders. Each the size of a small grain of rice, three Beacon® transponders are implanted in the patient’s prostate before starting radiation therapy. The transponders work in tandem with the other two main components, the Calypso System and the 4D Tracking Station™ and can continuously locate the target during each radiation treatment - in effect, GPS for the Body®.  As a result, prostate cancer therapy is even more accurate and takes less time for treatment each day.
“The prostate’s location can vary from day to day, and it can even move during treatment,” added Dr. Katz. “We already have expertise in using intensity modulated radiation therapy, but with the Calypso System we can now prescribe radiation therapy with sub-millimeter precision. Calypso will allow us to simultaneously improve prostate cancer control and lower the risk of side effects.” The most common potential side effects of prostate radiation include impotence, mild to moderate urinary frequency and changes in bowel habits.

“We are extremely excited to provide our prostate cancer patients with this new, advanced and accurate radiation technology,” stated Michael Guley, Saints Medical Center president and CEO. “We believe that men with prostate cancer should learn about their treatment options for the disease and seek the best treatment approach possible,” added Mr. Guley. “Our goal is to provide access to the most effective radiation therapy available. The new Calypso System places Saints at the forefront nationally in prostate cancer treatment.”

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