Download Rachel Ryan October 23, 2013 202-585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2013
CONTACT: Rachel Ryan
202-585-2055
[email protected]
NEJM Article Confirms Appropriate Use of Radiation Therapy
by Integrated Urology Practices
Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today said that a peerreviewed article on urologists’ use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate
cancer published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) indicates appropriate utilization of
intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) by urologists in integrated practices.
“The most current, credible data on prostate cancer treatment in the United States indicate the value
of radiation therapy and its tremendous impact on patient health outcomes when used
appropriately,” said Gail Rodriguez, executive director of MITA. “This study provides evidence of
growth in IMRT treatment which is in keeping with national trends based on physician decisionmaking, appropriate use criteria, patient choice and evidence-based medical guidelines.”
The study, led by Dr. Jean M. Mitchell, Ph.D., used Medicare claims from 2005 through 2010 to
evaluate IMRT utilization. It found that less than one-third of newly-diagnosed prostate cancer
patients who sought treatment from an integrated urology group received IMRT, a figure that is fully
in-line with data from academic literature predating the development of integrated groups.
Rodriguez noted it is important to take in to account the standard of care for prostate cancer during
the period of examination shifted from brachytherapy, or “internal radiation,” to IMRT, due to
innovative advances in non- invasive precision radiation beam treatment, limited side effects,
comparable outcomes and patient choice.
NCCN guidelines specifically recommend IMRT as first line therapy when appropriate, noting
significantly lower risk of gastrointestinal toxicities and safer dose escalation.
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The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical
imaging equipment, radiation therapy and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers, innovators and product developers. It
represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for medical imaging technology.
For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.