ELIZABETH, N.J., July 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first cancer treatment facility in the state of New Jersey to offer its breast cancer patients AccuBoost radiotherapy technology, an image-guided, non-invasive form of treatment using technology from Nucletron. The accuracy and non-invasiveness of AccuBoost allows early stage breast cancer patients who have undergone a lumpectomy to retain more undamaged breast tissue, thus making a significant difference in patient outcomes. AccuBoost is also up to 50 percent more accurate than standard breast radiotherapy.
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"AccuBoost uses real-time mammography to localize the treatment," says Clarissa Henson, MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology at Trinitas. "This technology is far superior to the current standard of care treatment. On average, only 51 percent of the treatment area receives 90 percent of the dose when using the current standard of care. With AccuBoost and image-guidance, targeting is improved and a more effective dose of radiation is delivered to the tumor site."
AccuBoost is a novel, non-invasive image-guided breast radiation brachytherapy. By allowing doctors to see the site where cancer was removed and to treat the surrounding breast tissue area more effectively, AccuBoost targets the extent of the disease and specifically treats the infected tissues. In this way, it identifies areas where cancer might likely reoccur if left untreated.
The image-guided feature of AccuBoost allows for the visualization of the tumor bed directly as the breast is immobilized and compressed through mammography. Imaging of the lumpectomy cavity is the first step in the accurate delivery of therapeutic radiation. The second and third steps involve delivery of radiation vertically and horizontally.
The AccuBoost system takes the guesswork out of radiation therapy by providing a simple accurate method for accurate boost dose targeting. The technology is able to position the applicator so that it delivers the therapeutic dose accurately and reliably, with limited radiation dose to the skin. "The AccuBoost dose is uniform over the portion of the breast that is being irradiated," explains Dr. Henson. "Focused homogenous doses free of hot spots or cold spots reduce unnecessary exposure of healthy tissue to radiation."
"AccuBoost allows patients to see the area that is being treated," Dr. Henson continues. "Since the diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the most traumatic for any woman, being able to see treatment as it is delivered through this new technology helps patients be informed and involved in their care."
Lydia Huertas of Union, New Jersey, one of the first AccuBoost patients at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, praises her patient experience. "I love Dr. Henson. I am very comfortable with her and I trust her and Trinitas to give me excellent treatment."
"In a few short years, Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center has brought significant innovation to the patients it serves in the Central New Jersey region," emphasizes Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinitas Regional Medical Center. "It was the first cancer treatment center in New Jersey to offer Rapid Arc™ radiotherapy technology, a fast and precise form of treatment using advanced technology from Varian Medical Systems. Now they are first with AccuBoost, another clear example of why Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center is a regional leader in cancer care."
Nucletron, a knowledge-based world-wide leader in Radiation Oncology working with clinical teams to realize innovative solutions that improve patient care, has its world headquarters in The Netherlands.
About Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC), a major center for comprehensive health services for those who live and work in Central New Jersey, is a Catholic teaching medical center sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation. With 10 Centers of Excellence across the continuum of care, Trinitas has distinguished itself in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, renal care, nursing education, diabetes management, wound healing and sleep medicine. For more information on Trinitas Regional Medical Center, visit: www.TrinitasRMC.org">www.TrinitasRMC.org or call (908) 994-5138.
About Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center
Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center (TCCC) is located in a state-of-the-art 28,000-square-foot, five-story building on the campus of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The Center offers the most advanced technology available to cancer patients, including the following "firsts" in the state: the first Trilogy Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy, the first Rapid Arc radiotherapy technology, and the first AccuBoost Image-Guided Breast Irradiation. For more information about cancer care at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit www.TrinitasRMC.org or www.trinitasccc.org or call (908) 994 – 8000.
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