The extent of tumor motion as depicted in a Symmetry scan helps clinicians confirm that the margins around the tumor that they applied during the planning phase are as small as possible, thereby protecting healthy uninvolved tissues.

"For example, The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group SBRT Lung protocol criterion is 1.0 cm margins superior and inferior on the gross tumor volume," he notes. "With Symmetry we can potentially reduce the standard margins and thereby decrease the dose to the uninvolved lung tissues."


Accounting for tumor motion is especially important for patients with lung tumors, as Riverside's protocol calls for beam delivery while the patient is breathing freely.

"Many of our lung cancer patients are older, they often have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema, so their shortness of breath and erratic breathing pattern makes them unsuited for breath hold treatments or any sort of gating," Spencer says.

He adds that eight out of 10 patients with lung tumors could benefit from a Symmetry scan.

"We are very excited about our future with Symmetry," he says. "We expected to be able to see a clearer picture of tumor motion, but we hadn't appreciated how well we would see the motion in all three dimensions. It hasn't been just superior to inferior tumor motion; Symmetry shows how a tumor can move anterior to posterior or left to right. In that respect, Symmetry has really exceeded our initial expectations."

*Approval of indications may vary between different countries. Additional regulatory clearances may be required in some markets.

About Elekta

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,300 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. Website: www.elekta.com.


CONTACT: Stina Thorman, Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB, +46 8 587 254 37, stina.thorman@elekta.com, Time zone: CET: Central European Time, or Michelle Lee Joiner, Director, Global Public Relations and Brand Management, Elekta, +1-770-670-2447, michelle.joiner@elekta.com, Time zone: ET: Eastern Time

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