STOCKHOLM, July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elekta users from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America and Africa converged on Hotel Hohe Dune in Warnemunde, GermanyJune 16-19 to participate in Elekta’s fifth European Users’ Conference. Approximately 390 clinicians and scientists attended 31 presentations and workshops given by Elekta users and company representatives on a wide range of cancer management topics. The Users’ Conference was preceded by the Elekta Stereotactic Users’ Meeting, June 15-16.
“We are pleased that the European Users’ Conference has evolved to become an established, respected platform on which the absolute forefront of modern radiation therapy is discussed,” says Olof Sanden, Executive Vice President, Europe and AFLAME. “This meeting continues to attract the most technologically and clinically sophisticated physicians and scientists in this region of the world to share experience and knowledge with peers.”
The scientific program included presentations on:
- The relative roles of 2D, 3D and 4D IGRT
- The efficiency and precision of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
- MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System organization and management
- Patient positioning and motion management
- Single fraction and fractionated stereotactic cranial treatment with Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion and Extend
- Clarity® soft tissue visualization
Umberto Ricardi, M.D., radiation oncologist at the University Hospital of Turin was among several invited speakers. Dr. Ricardi discussed Turin‘s nine months of clinical experience with Elekta Axesse as a dedicated system for stereotactic radiation therapy and radiosurgery of body and brain tumors, and lately, spine tumors as well. Radiation delivery in most cases is with Elekta VMAT.
“We have treated 190 patients for a total of 210 lesions, and my impression is that the system is quite good we really appreciate it,” he says. “The HexaPOD table works very well it’s an indispensable component to our Axesse system, particularly for stereotactic radiation therapy using ablative doses. The table offers precise positioning in six axes. In addition, the iGuide® system provides accurate localization of the patient not only in body cases, but also for brain tumor cases as well. We also appreciate the ability to finely shape treatment fields with the 4 mm leaves of Beam Modulator.”
Two months ago, the University Hospital began using Elekta Axesse for SBRT of spine tumors, and has completed six cases. Clinicians are mirroring an RTOG protocol that employs a single fraction of 16 Gy.
Dr. Ricardi also gave a presentation on soft tissue IGRT, specifically the use of Clarity soft tissue visualization for patients with prostate cancer. “We are using it for patients who are candidates to receive radical treatments [i.e., radiation only] as a guide for hypofractionated radiation therapy,” he says.
Having attended all five gathering of the Elekta European Users’ Conference, Dr. Ricardi was impressed by the caliber of the 2011 meeting.
“The quality of the scientific program continues to increase from a scientific standpoint and in the breadth of subject matter,” he observes. “There were talks on general radiation oncology and specific presentations on cranial tumors, lung tumors, pediatric oncology and many others. The venue was great, as were the social aspects of the meeting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 10.”
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy and radiosurgery, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care.
Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives, making the future possible.
Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 5,000 hospitals globally, and every day more than 100,000 patients receive diagnosis, treatment or follow-up with the help of a solution from the Elekta Group.
Elekta employs around 2,500 employees globally. The corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. For more information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com.
SOURCE Elekta
