Radiation Oncologists at Boca Raton Community Hospitals Lynn Cancer Institute recently announced that the Institute will be one of the first comprehensive cancer centers in Florida to adopt a new FDA-cleared technology to measure radiation absorption in cancer patients. Lynn Cancer Institute, formerly known as Lynn Regional Cancer Center, is one of the first centers world-wide, to begin using the Dose Verification System (DVS®) developed by Sicel Technologies, Inc.
Lynn Cancer Institute physicians will began using DVS, currently cleared for breast and prostate cancer patients in September. It is expected that the technology will be approved for other types of cancer, in the future. DVS has four sub-systems: an implantable radiation dosimeter, an insertion tool, a reader system with a wand and base station and software for storing and reporting patient data. Using a minimally invasive procedure, an interventional radiologist – or urologist for prostate cancer patients uses an insertion tool to implant two tiny dosimeters in each patient: one inside the tumor and one in the surrounding tissue. This insertion procedure is performed in a doctors office. Shaped like a capsule, the dosimeter is just 2 mm in diameter and 18 mm long and includes a microprocessor, transmitter, and antenna. Miniature sensors inside the dosimeter gather data on the precise amount of radiation being delivered to the tumor. Wireless technology with radio frequency (RF) is then used to transfer the data to a hand-held monitor. Radiation absorption data is read during daily radiation treatments, enabling doctors to verify treatment planning and validate that the patient is receiving the prescribed dose. The dosimeters are permanent and there are no side effects for the patient.