Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Treats its First Patients with Elekta Axesse(TM)

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (Royal Oak, Michigan, USA) has performed its first treatments using the new Elekta Axesse(TM), the ultimate whole-body cancer treatment system. Elekta Axesse sets new standards for precision and therapeutic efficacy in stereotactic radiation therapy, which involves three-dimensional CT imaging for tumor targeting accuracy. The new robotic, image-guided stereotactic radiation system treats cancer patients quickly and effectively with highly accurate tumor targeting

Since 2006, Beaumont Hospital has been running a successful intracranial radiosurgery program with Leksell Gamma Knife, and the hospital now is expanding its stereotactic treatment offerings to all parts of the anatomy.

"We chose Elekta Axesse because of its versatility," says Alvaro Martinez, M.D., F.A.C.R., corporate chairman, Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Hospitals. "We now can stereotactically treat both intra- and extra-cranial lesions, and the 6D robotically-controlled tabletop gives us the freedom to position the patient at virtually any angle. This enables a much more accurate and precise treatment for these lesions than we could provide in the past."

Integrating advanced technology and software to elevate the patient experience, streamline clinician workflow

The advanced 3D imaging capabilities of Elekta Axesse facilitate rapid, precise targeting of tumors, and the highly-conformal radiation delivery system effectively treats tumors while minimizing damage to patients' healthy tissue.

"Elekta Axesse enables us to attain sub-millimeter accuracy by planning in 3D and imaging patients in 3D prior to treatment, every day," says Dr. Martinez.

Elekta Axesse also integrates non-invasive patient immobilization to ensure patients properly are positioned prior to treatment. Working together, these advanced technologies can mean fewer trips to the hospital for patients and less physical, mental and emotional strain.

In addition, by marrying advanced technology with sophisticated software--including one unified display monitor with treatment planning, electronic medical record (EMR) technology, and system controls--Elekta Axesse smoothes the radiation therapist's workflow so patients are often finished with their treatments more quickly.

Shortened treatment times for many tumor sites throughout the body

The first patient treated on September 10 with Elekta Axesse underwent radiation therapy for breast cancer. "The patient required extremely precise and accurate treatment twice per day for one week," says Dr. Martinez. "That's a significantly shorter time period than the traditional seven weeks for this type of case."

The Elekta Axesse at Beaumont is now in routine clinical use for lung and spinal radiosurgery, as well as for other clinical sites requiring high accuracy and precision. "We have treated a patient who has recurrent cancer around the spinal cord," says Dr. Martinez. "Elekta Axesse is the only possible treatment option remaining for the patient to prevent damage to the spinal cord that could leave the patient paralyzed."

A third patient has metastases in the adrenal gland. Elekta Axesse can treat the adrenal gland without harming the kidney, small bowel or spinal cord."

Elekta Axesse also is designed for treatment of prostate cancer. "We now have robotic control to target the radiation more accurately to the prostate," says Dr. Martinez.

Elekta Axesse has performed well thus far in all treatments, he adds, with an accuracy of within one millimeter.

Elekta Axesse provides complete clinical solutions

The innovative new Elekta Axesse provides the world's most complete portfolio of stereotactic, image-guided treatment solutions with a powerful combination of accuracy, flexibility and dose control. Dr. Frank Vicini, M.D., chief of Oncology, Beaumont Cancer Institute, Beaumont Hospitals, says the three-dimensional kV volumetric imaging greatly improves the accuracy of tumor targeting. "Elekta Axesse is highly accurate because the real-time imager enables us to adjust, at the time of treatment, the shape and intensity of the radiation delivered."

Flexibility is vital to any successful radiation treatment, says Dr. Vicini. Elekta Axesse allows for multiple energy options and beam shaping options for efficient dose delivery and optimal target conformality, so healthy tissue is spared. "Quite simply, Elekta Axesse offers better cancer control and fewer side effects," Dr. Vicini says.

A history of technological collaboration

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak physicians have a nearly 20-year history of partnering with the Elekta R&D team. The hospital has made vital contributions to the development of pioneering 3D imaging and treatment technology. "We have done research together that has contributed to the development of Elekta Synergy(R) and Elekta Axesse, and we continue to be strong partners in advancing treatment for patients," Dr. Martinez says.

About Elekta (STO:EKTAB)

Elekta is an international medical technology group, providing oncologists, radiation therapists, neurosurgeons and many other medical specialists with state of the art tools to fight serious disease.

Elekta provides advanced clinical solutions, comprehensive management and information systems as well as services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders.

Elekta's systems and solutions are used in over 4,500 hospitals around the world. Clinical and information management solutions include, among others, Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain disorders, Elekta Axesse(TM) and Elekta Synergy(R) for stereotactic and image guided radiation therapy and radiosurgery as well as the MOSAIQ(TM) suite of software for image-enabled EMR and efficient management of clinical and patient data.

With over 2,000 employees globally, the corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. More information about Elekta can be found at www.elekta.com.

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