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Novalis Circle Symposium Focuses on Emerging Role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Spine Bone Metastasis
[September 26, 2016]

Novalis Circle Symposium Focuses on Emerging Role of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Spine Bone Metastasis


The Novalis® Circle hosted a symposium at this year's American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting to present and discuss topics related to stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment benefits in patients with spine metastasis. At the center of the scientific agenda, world-renowned experts highlighted current clinical evidence from leading institutions around the world who are at the forefront of improving pain management in spine disease. The growing benefit of stereotactic radiosurgery as up-front treatment for radio-resistant tumors or as part of multi-disciplinary care in conjunction with spine separation surgery were some of the new treatment paradigms highlighted by the speakers.

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The Novalis Circle symposium at the ASTRO Annual Meeting focused on stereotactic radiosurgery for pa ...

The Novalis Circle symposium at the ASTRO Annual Meeting focused on stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with spine bone metastasis (Photo: Business Wire)

The scientific community is embracing the benefits of SRS, and two prospective randomized trials comparing SRS to External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) in the treatment of metastatic spine disease were discussed at the Symposium as means to change current standards of care. Both studies, Radiation Oncology Therapy Group, (RTOG) 0631 and Canadia study SC24 aim to compare pain relief and quality of life between image guided radiosurgery SRS/SBRT and conventional external beam RT.



"The management of spine metastasis requires new therapies, and even access to combination therapies, that quickly and effectively manage the patient's pain, control local disease and facilitate continuation of systemic treatments," said Josh Yamada, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Modern clinical decision making not only needs to consider the neurologic and oncologic patient parameters, but also the spine mechanical stability and the overall control of systemic disease."

Among other topics at the Symposium, first experiences with Elements Spine SRS* by Brainlab, the latest software application for automated spine tumor treatment planning, were presented. The software workflow is designed to address current challenges in spine radiosurgery planning, such as multi-modal image set registration accounting for spine curvature variations, automated clinical target definition based on International Spine Consortium Guidelines, and site-specific Monte Carlo VMAT planning aimed at improving the dose gradient interface between the tumor and spinal cord.


"As an early evaluator of the Brainlab technology, I find the software automation to render consistent radiosurgery plans and I'm especially impressed with its ability to dose paint high gradients of radiation in close proximity to the spinal cord," said James L. Robar, PhD, Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Canada. "Elements Spine SRS is designed to help clinicians embrace radiosurgery strategies in the treatment of patients with spinal and paraspinal tumors."

Visit novaliscircle.org to access the full recordings from the Novalis Circle Symposium.

About Brainlab

Brainlab, headquartered in Munich, develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology, enabling access to advanced, less invasive patient treatments.

Core products center on information-guided surgery, radiosurgery, precision radiation therapy, digital operating room integration, and information and knowledge exchange. Brainlab technology powers treatments in radiosurgery and radiotherapy as well as numerous surgical fields including neurosurgery, orthopedic, ENT, CMF, spine and trauma.

Privately held since its formation in Munich, Germany in 1989, Brainlab has more than 11,000 systems installed in about 100 countries. Brainlab employs 1,350 people in 19 offices worldwide, including 385 Research & Development engineers, who form a crucial part of the product development team.

About Novalis Circle

The Novalis Circle is a worldwide network of clinicians dedicated to the advancement of radiosurgery. Novalis® Radiosurgery users represent the leading edge in the application of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and their participation in the Novalis Circle community indicates their strong commitment to improving healthcare. Novalis Circle provides a communication and collaboration network for developing new ideas and optimizing treatments that will continue to change the face of cancer treatment. The Novalis Standard was established and approved by a Novalis Circle expert committee. For further information, visit www.novaliscircle.org.

* This product is not available for sale and will not be available until all applicable approvals have been acquired.


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