'First time it's available': cancer treatment breakthrough at the Mater
It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice.
Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field".
"There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said.
The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning.
Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients".
"We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan."
He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose".
"When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas.
"With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted."
Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments".
"That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland.
On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions.
"It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said.
He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition.
"And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said.
The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago.
"I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said.
"I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one."
The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years.
Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial.
"We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said.
"We do have quite a lot of experience using this method."
It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data.
"An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said.
"But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together.
"The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI."
The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient".
"We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said.
The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
"The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice.
Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field".
"There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said.
The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning.
Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients".
"We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan."
He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose".
"When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas.
"With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted."
Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments".
"That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland.
On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions.
"It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said.
He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition.
"And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said.
The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago.
"I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said.
"I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one."
The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years.
Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial.
"We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said.
"We do have quite a lot of experience using this method."
It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data.
"An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said.
"But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together.
"The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI."
The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient".
"We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said.
The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
"The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice.
Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field".
"There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said.
The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning.
Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients".
"We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan."
He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose".
"When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas.
"With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted."
Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments".
"That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland.
On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions.
"It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said.
He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition.
"And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said.
The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago.
"I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said.
"I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one."
The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years.
Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial.
"We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said.
"We do have quite a lot of experience using this method."
It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data.
"An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said.
"But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together.
"The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI."
The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient".
"We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said.
The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
"The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle.
It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice.
Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field".
"There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said.
The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning.
Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients".
"We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan."
He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose".
"When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas.
"With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted."
Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments".
"That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland.
On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions.
"It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said.
He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition.
"And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said.
The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago.
"I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said.
"I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one."
The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years.
Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial.
"We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said.
"We do have quite a lot of experience using this method."
It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data.
"An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said.
"But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together.
"The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI."
The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient".
"We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said.
The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
"The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'First time it's available': cancer treatment breakthrough at the Mater
A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be." A significant breakthrough has been made in the treatment of prostate cancer at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. It is the first hospital in Australia to use an "MRI-only planning approach" for radiation therapy for prostate cancer in everyday practice. Dr Sam Dickson, a radiation oncologist at the Calvary Mater, said the research and physics required for the new technology was "quite significant in our field". "There were many years of background research," Dr Dickson said. The method removes the need for a CT scan as part of radiation planning. Dr Dickson said a major benefit of using only an MRI was that "CT spots are available for other patients". "We can get urgent people in faster than we could have if these prostate patients also needed a CT scan." He said one benefit for patients receiving the treatment was "a small reduction in radiation dose". "When you do a CT, you are getting a low dose, but it splashes over other areas. "With the new approach, the radiation is very targeted." Patient Paul Doherty said not needing a CT scan meant "less appointments". "That gives me back time," said Mr Doherty, of Berry Park in Maitland. On Thursday, he had his 12th of 20 radiation sessions. "It's a good breakthrough at the Mater with the MRI," he said. He said having access to a new and more efficient treatment helped his mental approach to the condition. "And I must say the staff there are excellent," he said. The 72-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer about three months ago. "I get a blood test every year and that's where it came up," he said. "I had a high PSA. They found a tumour and I had a biopsy. I had a few options, but I decided to do this one." The Calvary Mater has been part of studies into the MRI-only method for years. Previously, patients being treated in this way had to be on a clinical trial. "We were part of the group that did the research with the CSIRO," Dr Dickson said. "We do have quite a lot of experience using this method." It involves generating a "synthetic CT" from MRI data. "An MRI gives you much better soft tissue definition. You see the prostate much better," Dr Dickson said. "But previously, you couldn't plan on that alone. You needed to do a CT and fuse them together. "The CSIRO and industry partners such as Siemens did a lot of research into ways around that, so we could do the radiation planning with just an MRI." The new method maintains the "same high level of tumour targeting and protection of surrounding organs as before, but makes the planning process more efficient". "We started with prostate cancer because we had a background and understanding of that," Dr Dickson said. The hospital continues to use MRI and CT scans to plan treatment for cancers of the brain, head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. "The hope is we can shift it to other areas, like the brain. That's where the next advance would potentially be."
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
What is lyssavirus? Rare bat disease claims a fourth life in Australia
The rare but deadly lyssavirus has now claimed four lives in Australia. New South Wales Health confirmed a man aged in his 50s from the state's north died from the virus on Thursday after being bitten by a bat several months ago. It was the first known case in NSW. Here's what we know about the disease. Lyssavirus is a rabies-like infection transmitted via a bite or scratch from an infected bat to humans and other mammals, such as dogs and cats, or by exposure to an infected animal's saliva through the eyes, nose or mouth. NSW Health says lyssavirus affects the central nervous system and can take anywhere from weeks to years to present. The early symptoms are flu-like and include headache, fever and fatigue. The illness progresses rapidly to paralysis, delirium and convulsions. Death usually follows within a fortnight. Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) has been found in species of flying foxes, fruit bats and insect-eating microbats, and has been detected in NSW, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. The CSIRO first identified the Australian bat lyssavirus in 1996 after a black flying fox was found displaying nervous symptoms near Ballina in northern NSW. Later that year a Queensland woman who had recently become a bat handler started to suffer numbness and weakness in her arm before falling into a coma and dying. In 1998 and 2013, respectively, a woman and an eight-year-old died after they were bitten or scratched by bats. University of Sydney veterinary scientist Alison Peel said bats had coevolved with lyssavirus over a number of years. "We know that a large number of bats have been exposed to the virus but not gone on to have clinical signs that they ultimately die of," she said. "It's a small proportion of bats that go on to develop those clinical signs, whereas in people and other animals it ultimately causes those clinical signs. Dr Peel said it was yet to be understood why some bats were resistant to the disease and that infected bats often exhibited erratic and aggressive behaviour. Trish Paterson, who ran the Australian Bat Clinic and Wildlife Trauma Centre in Queensland, said less than 0.1 per cent of the Australian bat population was infected with lyssavirus. "They catch it from a bite or a scratch from an infected bat, so the bats die from it exactly the same away we do, and it's nasty, very painful, and can take three to four weeks for an animal to die once they've contracted lyssavirus," she said. Ms Paterson said being fully vaccinated against rabies was crucial for anyone who handled bats and that it was worrying that another person had died from an infection despite receiving prompt medical attention. "If he received treatment and still contracted the virus, that would be a little bit concerning," she said. There is no cure for lyssavirus but there are measures that can limit the likelihood of a person developing the disease, including the rabies vaccine. "ABLV is closely enough related to rabies that all of the preventative measures developed around the world for rabies, including vaccines and post-exposure treatment, work against ABLV," Dr Peel said. She said the vaccinations were vital for anyone coming into contact with bats, including carers, veterinarians and wildlife officers. Dr Peel said anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should immediately wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes with soap and water and apply an antiviral antiseptic before allowing the affected area to dry. Post-exposure treatment involves getting a course of the rabies vaccine and potentially a dose of antibodies. "You're giving your immune system a head start rather than waiting for it to develop those antibodies," Dr Peel said. Dr Peel said it was rare for post-exposure treatment to fail. There is no cure once the disease is detected in the body. People are advised to avoid contact with bats and call WIRES on 1300 094 737 if they find a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Perth Now
Screens shrink children's brains
Children who are constantly glued to screens have smaller brains. MRI scans of preschoolers show thinner grey matter in areas tied to language, memory and empathy - with heavy screen users falling behind in reading and attention skills. Even toddlers with three hours of daily screen time can lag behind when it comes to vocabulary and pre-school readiness. Leading paediatricians fear that real-world play is being removed from children's lives in favour of screens and have warned that tots who spend seven to eight hours fixated on screens per day are at risk of tunnel vision and concentration issues. The stiffening of eye muscles can lead to behaviour problems that are often confused with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sir Cary Cooper, a psychology professor at the University of Manchester, said: "Children are using these devices and they are not learning social and non-verbal skills that we pick up from interacting, face-to-face, with other people."
