ATLANTA, March 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Elekta will join more than 2,000 organizations in 69 countries in focusing attention on advancing research and treatment of brain disease during Brain Awareness Week, March 12- 16. Elekta's Leksell Gamma Knife(R) is the most advanced radiosurgery treatment system in the world and is solely dedicated to treating brain diseases.
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Almost half a million people worldwide have benefited from Gamma Knife(R) surgery, a gentle and effective alternative to open brain surgery. Thanks to constant advancements in Gamma Knife technology, it remains the choice of leading neurosurgeons worldwide. Studies show that local control exceeds an average of 85% for the management of brain metastases, the most common type of tumor treated with Gamma Knife surgery, and very good results for other brain diseases.
Brain Awareness Week was created in 1996 by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to unite the interests and activities of federal agencies, patient service and advocacy groups, outreach organizations, professional groups, teaching hospitals and universities and private research centers.
In addition to participating in Brain Awareness Week, Elekta, whose North America headquarters are in Atlanta, is also actively involved with local organizations such as the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, serving as the sole lead sponsor of their annual Williams Walk and Run. Elekta will also sponsor the Ovarian Cycle - Ride to Change the Future for the fourth year. In addition to raising funds, the April 17 event held in Atlanta will increase awareness while inspiring fitness.
"At Elekta, our corporate charge is to help physicians and their patients fight serious disease," said Anthony deCarolis, President and CEO of Elekta, Inc. and head of the U.S. operations of the Elekta Group. "Through our jobs, we see the profound need for advanced technology to battle these life-changing diseases such as brain disorders and cancer. As human beings, we feel compelled to do everything we can to sustain organizations that are providing research and support services."
About Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Gamma Knife surgery is a gentle treatment that can be performed in a few hours on an outpatient basis. There are minimal side effects, with most people resuming their normal daily routines after surgery or the next day. Gamma Knife surgery can be used repeatedly over time if new brain diseases occur - which would be very risky with open skull surgery.
A major advantage of Gamma Knife surgery is the immobilization of the patients' head allowing absolutely no chance of movement. This creates absolute stability, which leads to greater accuracy of the radiation hitting the target and missing the surrounding healthy tissue.
Gamma Knife surgery is so accurate, the full radiation dose is delivered during a single session, compared with multiple visits on a system called CyberKnife. In addition, a patient doesn't have to worry about excess radiation - the Gamma Knife system's intelligent design keeps radiation from the rest of the body. In contrast, the CyberKnife treatment emits 100 times more stray radiation in each multiple treatment compared to the Gamma Knife single session, single day treatment.
For inquiries on Gamma Knife treatment centers, visit www.elekta.com.
About Elekta
Elekta is an international medical-technology group, providing meaningful clinical solutions, comprehensive information systems and services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders. All of Elekta's solutions employ non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques and are therefore clinically effective, gentle on the patient and cost-effective.
Elekta's systems and solutions are used at over 4,000 hospitals around the world to treat cancer and manage clinical operations as well as to diagnose and treat brain disorders, including tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders.
With approximately 2,000 employees, Elekta's corporate headquarters are located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. For more information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020318/ELEKTALOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comElekta, Inc.CONTACT: Media inquiries: Michelle Lee, PR and Advertising Manager,+1-770-670-2447, michelle.lee@elekta.com, or Investor inquiries: PeterEjemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, +46 733 611 000,peter.ejemyr@elekta.com, both of Elekta, Inc.
Web site: http://www.elekta.com/
