Clinical Briefing: Calypso® System Tracking and Target Localization
during Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
November/December 2008
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
is just the third institution in the country to
install the Calypso® 4D Localization
System™ to guide radiation therapy for prostate
cancer. Calypso employs radiofrequency technology
comparable to the global positioning system to
continuously and precisely monitor biologically inert
transponders implanted in the prostate.
By tracking
these small electromagnetic sensors, Penn radiation
oncologists are able to target tumors in real time.
Precise tracking of the prostate during radiation
therapy is of critical importance because the organ is
prone to constant displacement. This affects both
treatment success and the proportion of unwanted
radiation exposure to normal tissues.
Prostate displacement occurs frequently
during radiation treatment. A recent study1 of the Calypso
System concluded that on average, the prostate was displaced
in patients receiving radiation therapy by more than 3 mm
for 13.6 percent of the total treatment time. For 3.3 percent
of the total treatment time, displacement exceeded 5 mm.
During
Calypso therapy, radiation oncologists are able to precisely
monitor movement of the prostate. When prostate displacement
exceeds predetermined thresholds, (i.e., 5 mm for more than
10 seconds) treatment can be halted temporarily to readjust
the patient's position. This increases
the precision of each treatment, permitting a greater impact
on target cells and fewer residual effects on normal tissue.
Calypso involves an electromagnetic
array that activates a trio of Beacon®
transponders implanted in the prostate.
These sensors send radiofrequency signals
to the array panel, allowing radiologists
to register the prostate's location in
three dimensions in real time.
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Our Team of Faculty
Radiation Oncology at Penn is a national leader in clinical
care, research, and education, and has one of the largest
and most respected clinical services in the region. The
department's faculty provides comprehensive radiation
therapy care in cooperation with surgeons, medical oncologists and other
specialists to design management plans specific to each patient's needs with
the goal of achieving the best possible outcomes.
"The
Calypso System's continuous real-time tracking
data permit radiation oncologists to know where
the prostate is during external beam radiation
treatment with far greater precision than has
ever been possible before. This information helps
us to target prostate cancer more accurately
for daily radiation, while helping to minimize
potential side effects of therapy. Overall, this
should lead to improved outcomes in terms of
both tumor control and quality of life,"
said Neha
Vapiwala, MD. |
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The Calypso® 4D
Localization System™ is available through the collaborative efforts of
the department of Radiation Oncology and
the division of Urology at Penn.
Performing Calypso® 4D™ Localization System
Diagnostics at Penn
Department of Radiation Oncology
Neha Vapiwala, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Division of Urology
Alan J. Wein, MD
Chief, Division of Urology
Professor of Surgery
S. Bruce Malkowicz, MD
Professor of Surgery
Locations
Patient appointments are available at:
Department of Radiation Oncology
2 Donner Building
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
To refer a patient and/or consult
with a doctor, call 800-789-PENN (7366)
or refer
a patient online.
1. Langen KM, Willoughby TR, Meeks SL, et al. Observations on real-time
prostate gland motion using electromagnetic tracking. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol
Phys. 2008;71:1084-1090.
All Images © Calypso® Medical Technologies, Inc.
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