SEATTLE, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Swedish Cancer Institute will sign a strategic partnership and technology-applications agreement this week with medical-technology leader Elekta Inc. for Elekta Synergy(R). This new image-guided radiation-therapy (IGRT) treatment system is the first of its kind to target cancerous tumors via an integrated, three-dimensional imaging system. In 2005, Swedish will acquire up to four Elekta linear accelerators equipped with IGRT software.
IGRT is a FDA-approved technology with an advanced scanning capability that allows physicians to digitally "see" a malignant tumor at the time of treatment. This means that even if a tumor has moved, clinicians can now aim a radiation beam far more precisely and spare surrounding tissue and vital organs.
"Tumors will change their position and their size during the course of radiotherapy treatment, which typically consists of multiple treatments over several weeks," said Swedish Cancer Institute radiation oncologist Vivek Mehta, M.D. "Even during a single treatment session, a patient's breathing or heartbeat may affect tumor position."
For patients, use of IGRT will mean:
-- Higher, more effective doses of radiation can be delivered safely
-- Tumors that were previously untreatable, because of their proximity to
organs or the spinal cord, can now receive treatment
-- In some cases, overall treatment time can be shortened
-- Radiation side effects can be reduced, improving quality of life
The first two linear accelerators with IGRT will be installed by early summer at the Swedish Cancer Institute's flagship facility on First Hill and at the Swedish Cancer Institute at Highline Community Hospital in Burien -- one of several local hospital partners of the Cancer Institute. The downtown Seattle unit will be part of the new Center for Advanced Targeted Radiation Therapies set to open this August at Swedish's First Hill Campus. Altogether, Swedish will invest more than $3 million in this technology-research program.
Swedish is one of the first facilities in the world selected by Elekta of Norcross, Ga., for the introduction of IGRT. "We chose to work with the Swedish Cancer Institute because it has the breadth and depth of professional resources to integrate new clinical therapies quickly and effectively," said Anthony De Carolis, president and CEO of Elekta Inc.
About the Swedish Cancer Institute
Swedish Medical Center opened the first dedicated cancer-care center west of the Mississippi in 1932. Today, the Swedish Cancer Institute is the largest, most comprehensive cancer-treatment program in Washington State, caring for more people with cancer than any other facility statewide. The Cancer Institute also has a long history as the region's largest radiation-therapy provider as well as an innovator in adopting the latest cancer technologies. A true multidisciplinary program, the Swedish Cancer Institute offers a wide range of advanced cancer-treatment options in chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery -- backed by extensive diagnostic capabilities, patient education, support-group services and complementary therapies.
For more information, visit http://www.swedish.org/ 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. For more information about Elekta, visit http://www.elekta.com/
Swedish Medical CenterCONTACT: Ed Boyle of Swedish Medical Center, +1-206-386-2748
Web site: http://www.elekta.com/
Web site: http://www.swedish.org/
