TomoTherapy Incorporated announced that a new TomoTherapy® radiation therapy system has been installed in Peoria, Ill., at a facility jointly developed by Methodist Medical Center and Midwest Urological Group. The Methodist Radiation Oncology Center and Prostate Cancer Treatment Center began installation of the TomoTherapy system in mid-July 2009, and treated its first prostate cancer patient only four weeks later. The center is currently treating approximately 25 patients a day on the TomoTherapy system, which integrates true CT-based image guidance for increased treatment accuracy and helical radiation delivery for enhanced tumor targeting.
Methodist Medical Center installed Peoria’s first TomoTherapy treatment system in January 2008. Roby Lal, M.D., radiation oncologist at Methodist Radiation Oncology Center and Prostate Cancer Treatment Center, said the addition of a second TomoTherapy location enables greater access to this groundbreaking treatment. “Since Methodist Medical Center first opened the in-house TomoTherapy unit last year, we’re seeing significant success with our patients,” said Dr. Lal. “Fewer side effects allow us to escalate the treatment dosage and have better patient outcomes.”
Although the new TomoTherapy system may eventually be used to treat other cancers at this site, it will primarily be used to treat prostate cancer. According to Sarat Sabharwal, M.D., a urologist and medical director of the Methodist Radiation Oncology Center and Prostate Cancer Treatment Center, TomoTherapy technology is ideal for this use.
“The prostate moves daily as surrounding structures like the rectum and bladder change shape,” said Dr. Sabharwal. “The TomoTherapy system allows us to capture a CT image of internal anatomy immediately before each treatment and use this scan to guide the dose appropriately. Then, using the same equipment, we can deliver a highly precise form of radiation from all angles around the patient, as opposed to just a few angles as older technologies allow.”
Since the first patient treatment was delivered on a TomoTherapy system in Knoxville, Tenn., in July 2003, more than 3 million treatment sessions—targeting cancers throughout the body—have been completed on TomoTherapy systems in hospitals and cancer centers around the world.
“The TomoTherapy system is changing the way cancer is treated,” said Fred Robertson, M.D., CEO of TomoTherapy. “Our unique platform helps ensure that tumors can be eradicated while damage to nearby organs and other healthy tissue is minimized. We are pleased to partner with Methodist Medical Center and Midwest Urological Group to expand access to this advanced treatment option for patients throughout the region.”
About TomoTherapy Incorporated
TomoTherapy Incorporated has developed, markets and sells the TomoTherapy® Hi·Art® treatment system, an advanced radiation therapy system for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers. The Hi·Art treatment system combines integrated CT imaging with conformal radiation therapy to deliver sophisticated radiation treatments with speed and precision while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. The company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TOMO.
Investor Contact:
Thomas E. Powell
Chief Financial Officer
608.824.2800
tpowell@tomotherapy.com
Media Contact:
Kevin O’Malley Manager
Corporate Communications
608.824.2800
komalley@tomotherapy.com
