AARHUS, Denmark, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aarhus University Hospital is pioneering the use of image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) with hopes of improving treatments and outcomes for gynaecological cancers. The hospital's leading radiotherapy center is able to treat patients more precisely with higher, more effective radiation doses using technology from Varian Medical Systems of Palo Alto, California. Aarhus University Hospital is one of the first cancer centers in Europe aiming to deliver higher, more effective doses and reduce unwanted side effects using image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT). The new technique enables doctors to acquire better patient images needed for planning and delivering brachytherapy treatments for their patients. A study of the first 14 patients treated by this technique, presented at the ESTRO meeting in October in Germany, showed that optimisation using high quality MRI scans and the planning capabilities of Varian's BrachyVision(TM) treatment planning system significantly improved the brachytherapy treatments. According to radiation oncologist Dr. Jacob Lindegaard, the challenge in gynaecological treatments is to get sufficient dose to the tumor while avoiding the surrounding normal anatomy. "Without image-guidance we were unable to see and plan treatment that protected healthy anatomy as much as we wanted to," he explains. "With image guidance we have a powerful new tool that enables us to precisely deliver the dose from brachytherapy in the tumor while avoiding the bladder, rectum and intestines." Aarhus University Hospital is carrying out the pioneering work as part of a European network of cancer centers led by the Medical University of Vienna. The objective at Aarhus is to reduce the cervical cancer recurrence rate and decrease severe complications by 50 percent. Standard gynaecological cancer treatments at Aarhus involve a combination of brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy. A total dose of 30 Gy is delivered in three 10 Gy fractions using a GammaMed(TM) Plus PDR (pulse dose rate) afterloader, a computer-controlled device that automatically inserts the radioactive source. The other 50 Gy is delivered using external beam treatments on Varian linear accelerators. The use of MRI-compatible applicators is crucial to the Aarhus technique, and Varian has developed a new titanium applicator as a more rigid alternative to existing plastic versions. Such applicators are needed for more precise brachytherapy treatments because they are rigid and do not flex or move, offering a more reproducible and accurate setup. "Using these applicators we can do the MRI scan with the applicator in place for each fraction of brachytherapy, and we are far more confident that nothing will disturb its position during planning and treatment," adds Dr. Lindegaard. The GEC-ESTRO and American Brachytherapy Society groups have recently made recommendations on the use of 3D image-based treatment planning in gynaecological brachytherapy. Applicators compatible with both CT and MR imaging modalities are essential for IBGT. Aarhus University Hospital expects to publish data on their program within the next two to three years. About Varian Medical Systems Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California is the world's leading manufacturer of medical technology for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and radiosurgery. The company is also a premier supplier of X-ray tubes and digital image detectors for imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications. The company's high-energy imaging systems are also used for screening cargo. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 3,600 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America and Europe and in its 56 sales and support offices around the world. In Europe, the company operates manufacturing and engineering centers in Baden (Switzerland), Crawley (England), Haan (Germany), Helsinki (Finland) and Toulouse (France) and has headquarters for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEA) based in Zug, Switzerland. Additional information is available on the company's web site at http://www.varian.com/ . Forward Looking Statements Statements in this press release regarding future business, events, plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, and other similar matters, including, but not limited to, statements using the terms "can" and "expect," constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, the risks described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed from time to time by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Furthermore, notwithstanding any specific events announced in this press release, the Company's quarterly and annual financial results are subject to such risks and uncertainties described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed from time to time by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Editorial contact: Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068, DATASOURCE: Varian Medical Systems CONTACT: Neil Madle of Varian Medical Systems, +44-7786-526068, or Web site: http://www.varian.com/

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