ATLANTA, May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While geography and politics separate physicians, those boundaries disappear when neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists gather for Leksell Gamma Knife(R) Society meetings. This year’s meeting, being held in Vienna May 16-20, is the 12th annual gathering for the organization, which assembles approximately every 2 years.
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The Leksell Gamma Knife(R) Society was established in 1989 to further define and expand the role of Gamma Knife(R) surgery in the treatment of intracranial disorders. It provides a means for Gamma Knife(R) users to share information, experiences and clinical techniques, and to advance scientific research for the application of Gamma Knife(R) surgery.
The meeting will be opened by Austrian dignitaries, including the Minister of Health and Women, Dr. Maria Rauch-Kallat; the Executive City Councillor for Public Health and Social Affairs of Vienna, Dr. Elisabeth Pittermann; and the Rector of the Medical University of Vienna, Dr. Walter Schutz.
While much of the agenda is focused on scientific information exchange during plenary and poster sessions, the meeting also provides a forum for informal networking, which is one of the strengths of the Society, according to Dr. Dan Leksell, VP of Medical Affairs at Elekta.
“For neurosurgeons using Leksell Gamma Knife(R), this is an important meeting,” Dr. Leksell explained. “While the scientific information exchange is important, the ability to establish relationships with other neurosurgeons worldwide is even more valuable.
“There are no politics when we get together, so people become old friends. They are able to liaise with centers around the world, regardless of political boundaries, to conduct international studies and exchange information. Then, when proceedings are published, surgeons worldwide can read and learn from the meeting, even if they cannot attend,” Dr. Leksell concluded.
The previous meeting’s proceedings were published in a special supplement to the Journal of Neurosurgery, a unique acknowledgement of the Society’s dominant leadership role in the field of intracranial neurosurgery. This year’s proceedings, which had a record number of papers submitted, will also be published by the clinical publication in the December 2004 issue.
The convincing evidence base demonstrated in 2,000 peer-reviewed published papers sets Gamma Knife(R) surgery apart from imitators and competitors. More importantly, this direct transfer of technique and information allows all Gamma Knife(R) centers to enhance treatment effectiveness - an ability unique to Gamma Knife(R) surgery.
Outstanding Base of Knowledge
While this evidence base allows uniform treatment among Gamma Knife(R) surgery centers, the information has recently been used to shore up claims by other radiosurgery approaches, which only have a small fraction of the experience and follow-up.
“You cannot take the evidence base created on Leksell Gamma Knife(R) and use it to support other modalities,” explained Jim Rose, Vice President of Marketing. “It would be like saying a mini-van can go as fast as a race car because they are both cars.
“Gamma Knife(R) surgery is three times more accurate than the nearest imitator, and that’s because of the machine, the stereotactic frame and the treatment approach. You can’t change one or more of those factors and claim parity in results,” Rose continued. “After trying for 30 years, no radiosurgical tool has been built that has the proven safety, efficacy and accuracy of Leksell Gamma Knife(R).”
Setting the Standard in Radiosurgery
Elekta recently unveiled the new Leksell Gamma Knife(R) 4C, the fourth generation of the most successful radiosurgery weapon in the fight against brain disorders. Leksell Gamma Knife(R) remains the most proven means of performing intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery, and is the single most trusted and utilized solution for treating brain disorders without invasive surgery.
Over 250,000 patients have been treated using Gamma Knife(R) surgery and there are 2,000 peer-reviewed published papers. Patients and physicians prefer the convenience and efficacy of a single dose achieved with clinical confidence using Leksell Gamma Knife(R).
Leksell Gamma Knife(R) is part of a complete and successful practice, offering a proven business model that reduces risk while allowing centers to reach profitability faster. Leksell Gamma Knife(R) is installed in 200 clinics worldwide, and all original sites are still operating. With increasing patient volumes and a growing number of indications treatable using Gamma Knife(R) surgery, centers are finding their investment in Leksell Gamma Knife(R) to be sound. They also benefit from being perceived as a leader both in technology and thought leadership, as well as additional income from performing associated procedures.
About Elekta
Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta’s solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient. The company’s North American headquarters are located in Atlanta and corporate headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden. For additional information about Elekta, please visit http://www.elekta.com/
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CONTACT: Michelle Lee, PR and Advertising Manager, +1-770-670-2447, ormichelle.lee@elekta.com, or Investors, United States, Lars Jonsteg, VPInvestor Relations North America, +1-770-670-2419, or lars.jonsteg@elekta.com,or International, Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications,+46 8 587 254 00, or peter.ejemyr@elekta.com, all of Elekta Instruments, Inc.
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