Vantage Press & Media



Intercommunity Cancer Center - Vantage Oncology now using "GPS for the body"
Contributed By Trace Longo & Vantage Oncology

Source: http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100176&sid=136275

September 30th, 2008

CINCINNATI, OH — The InterCommunity Cancer Center, Vantage Oncology and Oncology Partners Network announced today that the center is the first cancer-care program in Cincinnati to offer prostate cancer patients access to the Calypso® 4D Localization System™, also known as “GPS for the Body® ”.

This new form of technology allows precision-guided radiation therapy delivery to the prostate with continuous, prostate-motion detection and monitoring. Essentially, the Calypso System tells the physician where the tumor location is at all times during daily radiation treatments.

Movement of prostate tumors can occur during and in between treatments as a result of body physiology. This daily organ motion can result in ineffective delivery of radiation and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The Calypso System was designed to “track” the location of the prostate tumor during oncology treatments to precisely and continuously target the delivery of the external beam to the position of the tumor.

“I am excited to be able to offer my prostate cancer patients this new advanced radiation technology” said Thomas M. Morand, M.D., Medical Director of the InterCommunity Cancer Center – Vantage Oncology. “We believe that patients are well educated in prostate cancer treatment options and seek the best treatment approach possible. The Calypso® 4D Localization System™ provides them with the opportunity to have continuous monitoring during their treatment.”

The major components of the Calypso System are implanted Beacon® electromagnetic transponders, each about the size of a grain of rice. Three Beacon® transponders are implanted in the patient’s prostate prior to the delivery of radiation therapy. They work in tandem with the other two main components, the Calypso System and the 4D Tracking Station™, to accurately and continuously locate the tumor in the prostate during radiation treatments.

“New technologies such as the Calypso System facilitate the delivery of higher doses of radiation with fewer complications and side effects than patients typically experience when treated with conventional radiation therapy,” added Dr. Morand. “Our goal with all such technology is to increase cure rates while preserving the quality of life for our patients.”


Calypso® 4D Localization System - "GPS for the Body Technology®
The Electromagnetic Transponders are about the size of a grain of rice.


For more information about to the Calypso® 4D Localization System™, please call InterCommunity Cancer Center


CONTACT:
Trace Longo
Longo Communications
(949) 364-2821

Vantage Oncology
Marketing Department
(310) 335-4000