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• Requires little or no doctor’s time • No surgical procedure • Safe method with 5 years follow-up studies • Well tolerated among patients • Fast (no need to wait 1-2 weeks) References: 1. Per Fransson et al. “five-year prospective patient evaluation of bladder and bowel symptoms after dose escalated radiotherapy for prostate cancer with the beamcath® technique”, Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., 2006. 66(2). 430-438. 2. Hans C. J. De Boer et al., “Application of the no action level (nal) protocol to correct for prostate motion based on electronic portal imaging of implanted markers”, Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., 2005, 61(4), 969–983. 3. Alan Pollack et al., “Prostate cancer radiation dose response: results of the M. D. Anderson phase III randomized trial”, Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., 2002, 53(5), 1097–1105. Targeting device for high precision radiation theraphy of prostate cancer. Beampoint AB · Kista Science Tower. SE-164 51 Kista, Sweden Phone: +46 8 751 01 75 Fax: +46 8 35 00 83 www.beampoint .se • The prostate can be better targeted for high precision radiotherapy • Reduction in side-effects to adjacent organs, allowing higher doses to be delivered Maximises precision during treatment of prostate cancer thus allowing for higher radiation dosage. IMPROVED OUTCOME WITH HIGHER DOSAGE BeamCath® is a device to assist in dose escalation, using conventional, conformal radiation therapy techniques. It has been shown that the outcome for prostate cancer patients is improved when they are given higher doses of radiation (Hanks 1999, Pollack 2000). Increased radiation dose however causes greater risk of side-effects, particularly in the rectum and bladder. Accordingly, the radiation must be focused to the prostate also taking into account the variations in target position. BETTER CONTROL–FEWER SIDE EFFECTS BeamCath®, is a tool for visualising the prostate position during treatment of prostate cancer, with external beam conformal radiation therapy technique. Introducing a catheter with fiducial markers into the urethra, for planning, simulation and boost- treatment dose escalation with high precision avoiding complications in sensitive organs and tissues adjacent to the prostate. • High density fiducial markers provide a reference system for planning, simulation and treatment The BeamCath® method allows for exact positioning of the external beam boost during radiation therapy COST-EFFECTIVE Increasing the external beam radiation dose is a costeffective method to dose-escalate prostate cancer treatment, since regular treatment machines and portal imaging systems are used. Total cost is significantly lower than for other, invasive methods that are more labourintensive and might require large investments in new equipment. PROVEN RESULTS Since 1997 more than 1 500 prostate cancer patients have been treated with dose escalation up to 78 Gy with BeamCath®. The BeamCath® catheter technique has been a prerequisite to do this without any increase in side-effects in the bladder and rectum. Lumen for air-inflation to the balloon which keeps the catheter cuff in the bladder Cuff (balloon) High density fiducial markers • Straightforward technique easily incorporated into existing treatment protocols and clinical practices Connection for inflating the cuff. Connection for instillation of contrast into the bladder BLADDER PROSTATE The catheter is introduced into the urethra and retained by inflating the balloon in the bladder. A light constant pull is applied to the catheter, to ensure it is in the same position for all phases of the therapy-planning, simulation and the initial target movement. The markers within the catheter are the size of lead shot and are made of very high-density material so as to be visible during all treatment phases. Utilising portal imaging for beam alignment, the catheter markers help doctors target the desired treatment area. It is possible to make adjustments for gland movement immediately before treatment is given. TUMOUR