New brain tumor treatment for AS

High-precision radiotherapy therapy for patients with secondary brain tumors is now available in Adelaide.

The image-guided radiation system will be used as a non-invasive form of intracranial radiation to deliver precisely targeted radiation in fewer high-dose treatments than conventional therapy.

This technology includes a state-of-the-art imaging system for highly accurate patient positioning and targeting of brain tumors.

It gives the clinician the ability to see and monitor the position of a patient in real time so that he can instantly detect any unintended movement that may affect the accuracy of the treatment.

Oncologist Andrew Potter said the system heralded a new era for radiotherapy in South Australia.

"It is estimated that 20 to 40% of cancer patients have brain metastases or secondary brain tumors, so we observe that a growing number of patients are benefiting from stereotaxic therapy." "said Dr. Potter.

"Using the imaging system, the patient is placed on a bed that pivots in six dimensions, delivering a high dose of radiation directly to the brain tumors.

"The high dose destroys the cancer cells with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, and the patient usually only needs one to three sessions, the treatment being able to target multiple tumors at the same time."