New approach shortens duration of treatment

For Immediate Release (Sacramento, Calif., July 13, 2011) — A new treatment approach that could shorten the course of radiation treatment for prostate cancer will be tested at the Radiation Oncology Division of Radiological Associates of Sacramento Medical Group, Inc. (RAS). Medical researchers will conduct a clinical trial of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which can dramatically shorten the duration of a course of radiation therapy. RAS is one of only five facilities nationwide that has been chosen to participate in the research study; its first patient was seen on June 29th. The research will be conducted in cooperation with the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

Not only are shorter courses of radiation more convenient, recent evidence has suggested radiation in daily concentrations greater than conventional external-beam radiation therapy may result in improved control of prostate cancer.

This clinical trial will make use of the Calypso 4D Localization System®, which precisely guides radiation beam convergence by means of tiny radio transponder beacons implanted within the prostate. These beacons enable the Calypso system to continually monitor prostate location and movement and to direct minute adjustments in radiation beam aiming accordingly. This technology along with a highly sophisticated treatment delivery known as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) enable the highly precise administration of higher daily doses than are customarily used. The Calypso system has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is used nationwide for guidance of radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer. Except for a very brief procedure to place the Calypso beacons in the prostate, this treatment is entirely noninvasive and involves no surgery or anesthesia.

Patients may participate in this trial at the University of Michigan, Washington University, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia and RAS Radiation Oncology Centers (ROC) in Sacramento. ROC radiation oncologists Garrick Chang, M.D. and Seth Rosenthal, M.D. are co-investigators in the study.

In comparison to conventional radiation therapy requiring about 40 radiation treatments over eight to nine weeks, the course of treatment for SBRT will total only five fractions, with each treatment lasting less than 20 minutes. “We are hopeful that this treatment will be highly effective, yet far less intrusive on patients’ lives than conventional radiation therapy” said Chang, who is the principal investigator at the RAS location. Physicians or patients who wish to learn more about the trial, or to refer a patient for evaluation, can contact Sheetal Vaghela at 916.537.5470.

About Radiological Associates of Sacramento
Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) Medical Group, Inc. (www.radiological.com) is a premier provider of specialty healthcare services in Northern California. Established in 1917, its core services include diagnostic radiology, interventional and neurointerventional radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, gynecologic oncology, urology, hematology, medical oncology, thoracic surgery and vascular surgery. RAS provides quality care to patients throughout Northern California with outpatient clinics located in the five-county area. RAS is a full member of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), a National Cancer Institute-sponsored cooperative research group that develops state-of-the-art Phases II and III clinical trials for adult cancer patients. Our physicians are active participants in the development and completion of RTOG clinical research and rank among the top 10 institutions nationwide in patient accrual and data quality.
 

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