Mountain View, CA, August 7, 2001
IMPAC Medical Systems,
Inc. hosted its first Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
symposium in Englewood, New Jersey, on July 11, 2001. Guest
speakers included Peter Rosemark, PhD, chief physicist at
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles,
California; and Annmarie Ison, Quality Engineering Manager of
IMPAC Medical Systems. Both speakers addressed the techniques,
benefits, and challenges of treating patients with the very latest
technology utilized in the field of radiation oncology. More than
50 physicists, radiation therapists, and physicians attended the
dinner symposium, engaging the speakers and colleagues in
provocative discussion of IMRT, particularly the quality assurance
aspects surrounding this complex new treatment modality.
IMRT utilizes mathematical algorithms and software to control
linear accelerators and multileaf collimators to deliver 3D
conformal radiation; thus allowing higher doses to more exact
tumor volumes, and significantly lower doses to surrounding normal
tissue. This technique is being utilized to treat a variety of
different tumor sites, such as prostate, head and neck, CNS, and
even breast cancer sites. Treatment planning systems such as ADAC
NOMOS, CMS, and Cadplan, generate the multifaceted treatment
plans, which can then be “downloaded” into the IMPAC system for
treatment on any linear accelerator.
IMPAC delivers the same superior level of accuracy and efficiency
with IMRT as it does for conventional radiation therapy, with the
appropriate and necessary added quality assurance implementations.
IMPAC’s QA Mode confirms treatment delivery fluence for each
treatment plan, allowing for a “dry run” of the treatment fields
already in the IMPAC System. Peter Rosemark, Ph.D., of
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center reports that, “The QA
mode is a real benefit while determining the actual dosimetric
properties of a particular IMRT treatment plan.” Dr. Rosemark
contends that these treatments, in particular, deserve extra care
and quality assurance. Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center
has treated over 30 IMRT patients to date.
George Metiv PhD, chief physicist at Boca Raton Community Hospital
in Florida, agrees that the quality assurance surrounding these
complicated and intricate treatment plans are paramount to the
success of IMRT. They have successfully treated over 12 patients
at the center, using Auto Field Sequencing for the ‘Step and
Shoot’ delivery of IMRT.
IMPAC’s IMRT OpenSuite™ is IMPAC’s IMRT enhanced line of
radiotherapy products designed to streamline the flow of data from
one system to the next, facilitating IMRT treatment setup,
verification, and delivery. With IMRT OpenSuite, cancer centers
can upgrade their existing equipment and systems and begin
delivering IMRT without incurring substantial cost or downtime.
More centers around the country are successfully implementing
IMPAC’s IMRT OpenSuite, with dozens of new sites starting this
fall.
IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of integrated
clinical and administrative management systems for cancer
specialists. Specializing in the development of practice
management, electronic medical record, image management and
decision support software, IMPAC offers practical solutions that
help healthcare providers better manage the process of delivering
care. IMPAC is privately held and is based in Mountain View,
Calif. Founded in 1990; IMPAC systems are utilized by over 20,000
clinicians to manage the daily care of more than 50,000 cancer
patients. For more information about IMPAC Medical Systems’
products and services, please call 650-623-8800 or visit
http://www.impac.com.
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center is a state-of-the-art
outpatient cancer facility for Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. The
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center is housed in a 53,000
square foot facility designed for patient convenience and is the
recipient of numerous architectural awards. Open 24 hours a day,
seven days a week Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center
provides all diagnostic & treatment capabilities. Cedars-Sinai
Comprehensive Cancer Center has programs for treating all cancer
specialists (Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Gynecologic
Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and
Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery). For more information about
Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, please visit
http://www.csccc.com. |
|
Marketing Communications:
Michelle Arnold
IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc.
650-623-8883
pr@impac.com
http://www.impac.com
Link Disclaimer
|
