Advanced Radiotherapy Almost Halves Cancer Treatment Time

Cancer treatment delivery time is being cut by up to 42%,¹ thanks to an advanced form of radiotherapy treatment delivered by Versa HD. This is the message that medical technology company Elekta will deliver to UK cancer experts this week at a road show in London and Leeds.

A team from St James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, which worked closely with Elekta during the machine's development, will reveal that treatments for prostate and advanced lung SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) cancers can be delivered significantly faster than before. SBRT treatments for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer can be delivered within a 20-minute treatment slot.²

For complex head and neck cancers, the use of Versa HD means treatment can be delivered 42% faster¹; treatment in some cases of prostate cancer can be delivered over 5 days rather than six weeks³. By treating more patients in a day, clinics can increase efficiency and make advanced radiotherapy techniques available for more patients.

The 2-day road show will also showcase future developments in the field of radiotherapy.

Elekta’s Director Oncology Sales UK, Paddy Greally says: “Just this month, NHS England reaffirmed the critical role that radiotherapy plays in treating and curing cancer. Radiotherapy accounts for just 5% of the national spend on cancer treatment but cures around four in ten cancer patients — and 16% of these are cured solely by radiotherapy.

“But the report acknowledges that innovations aren’t always driven into NHS clinical practice in a consistent way. By bringing together experts from across the UK at the Elekta road shows we want to showcase how advanced radiotherapy delivered by Versa HD means more patients can be treated sooner.” ⁴

Versa HD offers advanced radiotherapy techniques that enable high precision treatment in managing a range of cancers of the head and neck, lung, breast and prostate. It has the ability to continually reshape the radiation beam to the fine contours of the tumour so a higher dose of radiation can be delivered. And because the machine was designed in collaboration with clinicians it is fine-tuned to the patient’s needs.

Dr Viv Cosgrove of St James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds says: “Leeds Cancer Centre is among Europe’s largest cancer treatment centres, serving a population of 2.8 million. It delivers more than 7500 treatment courses each year and has the largest facility in the UK to treat inoperable non-small cell lung cancer with the advanced SBRT technique.⁵

“By helping to develop Versa HD, we have been able to fine tune treatments to fit the needs of patients. Faster treatment times mean patients do not have to remain lying as long, sometimes in uncomfortable treatment positions. The increased accuracy will also help minimize unwanted side effects.”

In the year since Versa HD was launched, sales have exceeded targets including six in the UK and Ireland, with the latest machine coming into service this week in Galway, Ireland. Approximately 120 delegates are expected to attend the road shows in London and Leeds including experts from radiation oncology and medical physics, as well as clinical scientists, engineers and radiotherapy radiographers.

Other speakers will include Dr Marc Pachoud, Hôpital Riviera, Switzerland, who will discuss how computer-guided treatment delivers precise treatment that even matches the patient’s breathing pattern; and Mr Christian Maaß, University Hospital Mannheim, Germany, who will discuss advanced radiotherapy treatments.

References

1. Data courtesy of Prof. Frank Lohr & Florian Stieler Ph.D, UMC Mannheim, Germany
2. Data courtesy of St James's Institute for Oncology, Leeds
3. Data on file, Elekta
4. www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/policy_feb2014_radiotherapy_vision2014-2024_final.pdf
5. Data courtesy of St James's Institute for Oncology, Leeds