STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- World Champion Skater Scott Hamilton will speak in Elekta's booth on his treatment for a brain tumor using Gamma Knife(R) surgery.
Neurosurgeons attending AANS in New Orleans April 16-21 will be able to hear an Olympic Gold Medalist speaking about the industry's Gold Standard for stereotactic radiosurgery, Leksell Gamma Knife(R) from Elekta.
Scott Hamilton, a four-time U.S. National Champion, four-time World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist will be hosted by Elekta, and will speak to attendees about his battle with testicular cancer in 1997 and his more recent diagnosis of craniopharnigioma, a rare, non-cancerous pituitary brain tumor. He was treated with Gamma Knife(R) surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on December 13, 2004.
Hamilton is noted for his inspirational talks on his life and achievements, as well as his humanitarian work with cancer organizations.
"We are delighted that Scott Hamilton can join us at AANS and share his experiences as a patient with medical professionals who routinely administer life-saving treatments using Leksell Gamma Knife(R)," said Anthony De Carolis, President and CEO of Elekta, Inc. and head of the U.S. operations of the Elekta Group. "Hundreds of thousands of people have been treated with Gamma Knife(R) surgery, and he epitomizes the patient who can benefit from non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery using Gamma Knife(R) surgery, which offers unmatched accuracy and precision."
Elekta will display its fourth generation Leksell Gamma Knife(R) at AANS, as well as the revolutionary Elekta Synergy(R) S, the ideal extracranial counterpart to Leksell Gamma Knife(R). "Elekta is unique in providing both stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy solutions to optimize treatments, outcomes, and efficiencies with dedicated, disease-specific solutions" explained Jim Rose, Vice President of North America Marketing. "Other vendors force physicians to compromise, using an 'all-in-one' radiotherapy solution that has been modified for use in treating the brain."
Gamma Knife(R) surgery, or stereotactic radiosurgery, is a single-session surgical procedure performed by a neurosurgeon / radiation oncologist team using ultra-precise focused radiation to destroy the target. "The clinical track record documented by over 300,000 patient treatments, 217 highly successful Gamma Knife(R) installations globally, and over 2,000 clinical publications make radiosurgery ideal for critical brain surgery," Rose said.
Fighting Serious Disease
The strength of Elekta's broad range of specialized neurosurgical treatment solutions provides a solid market position, which is strengthened with the introduction of leading edge, emerging clinical applications of technology. With a growing number of radiation oncology and neurosurgery centers treating patients with Leksell Gamma Knife(R) and Elekta Synergy(R), Elekta proves it is a company that continues to make a difference in the lives of patients today and in the future.
Elekta recently completed its acquisition of IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc., the leading provider of oncology management software. Together, Elekta and IMPAC form the world's most comprehensive cancer management company and the largest supplier of cancer management software. In North America, IMPAC's systems are installed in over 1,300 oncology centers, over 1,100 cancer registry operations and over 400 pathology laboratories.
Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient.
For additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com
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