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ONCURA™ signs contract with The London Clinic to support new prostate cancer service

London, 31 August 2007 – ONCURA, a leading provider of brachytherapy products, has been awarded the contract with The London Clinic – one of the UK’s most established independent hospitals – to provide radioactive seeds for their new low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy service for the treatment of prostate cancer, one of the commonest forms of cancer in men.
Professors Stephen Langley and Roger Kirby, consultant urologists at The London Clinic, will head up this new service.
LDR brachytherapy is a proven1, cost-effective treatment for early, localised prostate cancer2. It is minimally invasive and involves implanting tiny radioactive seeds through fine needles into the prostate to destroy the cancer cells. Its side effect profile offers patients less risk of impotence and incontinence after treatment, compared to other treatment options3. The procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic and most patients go home the following day.
Explains Saheed Rashid, Marketing Director, Oncura, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with The London Clinic to provide this service. LDR brachytherapy is an effective and convenient therapy for treating localised prostate cancer and an important option for men diagnosed with the disease.”
“This new service will expand our existing portfolio of specialist services for men not just in London, but across the UK as well as abroad”, added Malcolm Miller, Chief Executive of The London Clinic.






References
1. Kupelian PA, Potters L, Khuntia D, et al. Radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy <72 Gy, external beam radiotherapy ≥72 Gy, permanent seed implantation, or combined seeds/external beam radiotherapy for stage T1–T2 prostate cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 2004;58:25–33.
2. Buron C, Vu BL, Cosset J0M, et al. Brachytherapy versus prostatectomy in localized prostate cancer: Results of a French multicenter prospective medico-economic study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics 2007;67:812–822.
3. Frank S, Pisters L, Davis J, et al. An Assessment of Quality of Life Following Radical Prostatectomy, High Dose External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy Iodine Implantation as Monotherapies for Localized Prostate Cancer. The Journal of Urology 2007;177:2151-2156.

Editor’s Notes
ONCURA
In December, 2006, G.E. Healthcare acquired 100% ownership of ONCURA. Headquartered in Arlington Heights, IL, ONCURA is a major presence in the treatment of prostate cancer.
The London Clinic
The London Clinic is one of the UK’s most established independent hospitals. It is located on Harley Street in the heart of London’s medical community and has a long-standing international reputation attracting leading consultants. It offers highly complex procedures in addition to routine surgery and medicine with a 24 hour consultant-led critical care unit. It is celebrating 75 years of inspired care (1932-2007).

File Download:
oncura-tlc-approved-release--31-08-07-3.doc

Contact:
Sally Robinson
sally@etalpr.co.uk
Tracey Thompson
The London Clinic Press Office
020 8786 3860 or tracey.thompson@trinitypr.co.uk

Date Added: 31-08-2007

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