New treatment system for early lung cancer patients debuted (Taiwan)

from the IV MB, by yyy60:

>>The China Post
Friday, June 12, 2009


TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The debut of the Xsight-Lung system may be celebratory news to early cancer patients, reported local media yesterday.

The use of the pioneering tracking system in conjunction with current Cyberknife technology has proven a satisfactory treatment option for those with malignant cell growth in their lung tissues, said medical experts.

According to Chao Hsing-lung, a physician from the department of radiation oncology at the Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH), Cyberknife is a robotic radiosurgery apparatus that delivers localized radiation to any part of the body.

He added that Xsight provides additional image guidance to help Cyberknife pinpoint lung tumors, which can move and deform as a result of breathing.

Chao explained that the new equipment can accurately track the progress of tumors during radiotherapy and delivers exceptional results for cancer cases that are caught early.

Three to four cases at TSGH have already responded well to the treatment since its inception a month ago, said Chao.

Chao also noted that unlike traditional Cyberknife usage, which requires the implantation of fiduciary markers to locate soft tissue tumors, the latest merging of Cyberknife and Xsight technologies is non-invasive and is shown to be highly accurate, enabling less side effects during the course of therapy.

This method, however, is more suitable for Stage I cancer patients with tumors that are less than three to five centimeters in diameter, said Chao.

A course of treatment requires three to five sessions, each spanning 30 to 90 minutes.

The National Health Insurance currently only covers those with cranial tumors; those who seek the treatment for lung tumors would have to pay out of pocket which is estimated at around NT$200,000.

Lung cancer prevention and treatment have recently garnered attention due to Vice President Vincent Siew's bout with cancer, noted local media.

According to Chao, Stage III cancer patients like Siew may or may not be suited for such treatment and will require further case-by-case assessment.

	Tri-Service General Hospital yesterday announce a pioneering Xsight-Lung tracking system. The conjunction of the system with current Cyberknife technology provides lung cancer patients with non-invasive and highly accurate therapy. (CNA)