May 20 2010
Sicel Technologies’ wireless radiation sensor, also termed the Dose Verification System (DVS) is being implanted by Hackensack University Medical Center’s John Theurer Cancer Center to enable radiation oncologists to immediately receive post prostate cancer treatment data related to the exact quantity of radiation received by the tumors along with the tissue surrounding these tumors.
This center is among the two cancer centers located in the tri-state region to implant such sensors.
Using a minimally invasive process the 20 mm long and 2.1 mm in diameter DVS sensors are implanted for the collection of the exact quantity of radiation received by the tumor. This information is transmitted wirelessly to a hand-held monitor and the quantity of absorbed radiation is noted at the end of every daily treatment, helping the doctors to ascertain whether the prescribed dosage is received by the patient. The need to measure accurately the quantity of delivered radiation has been highlighted during a long term clinical examination involving about 230 prostate cancer patients.
John Theurer Cancer Center’s Urologic Oncology’s Co-Chief and Director of Radiation Oncology Dr. Glen Gejerman, M.D., informed that conventional radiation therapies depend on ascertaining the exact dose delivered to the tumor, whereas the new implantable sensor helps oncologists to enable vital adjustments of radiation dose the same day.
Any radiation that is administered to a normal tissue or variations in the dose given to the tumor is likely to have a considerable impact on the long-term quality of life and survival rates of radiation therapy treated patients. For controlling the tumor and increasing the cure rate, the appropriate radiation dose has to be delivered accurately.
John Theurer Cancer Center’s Executive Administrative Director and Chairman, Andrew L. Pecora, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.P.E., informed that the Center is focusing on offering extraordinary care by providing innovative technologies to patients for enhancing their outcomes and resolve the most complex cases. He added that the Center is thrilled at the prospect of providing an unmatched precision level to physicians as well as ensuring more satisfaction to prostate cancer patients.
This sensor implant initiative forms part of the Center’s focus on enhancing the precision and safety of radiation oncology by conducting research and utilizing the most recent advancements in technology. Dr. Gejerman and his team at the Center are planning to continue the DVS technology study for ascertaining the optimal quantity of sensors for implanting and the best favorable body locations where they could be implanted. This would enable them to streamline the radiation delivery process and make them more precise.