Calypso® improves the accuracy of radiation dosing by tracking tumors in real time, helping to protect the healthy tissue around the tumor
HOUSTON (April 10, 2018) – Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Cancer Center is the first facility in the Houston area to offer The Calypso system tumor tracking from Varian Medical Systems for radiation oncology patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Calypso, which uses “GPS for the Body®” technology, tracks tumors in real time, including even the slightest movements, helping radiation oncology clinicians maintain their targets and helping to protect the surrounding healthy tissue.
“For many patients undergoing radiation therapy, the question of how we’re going to protect healthy tissue is a major concern,” said Snehal Desai, M.D., Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “Traditional radiation therapy has come a long way in targeting tumors while protecting healthy tissue. However, the addition of Calypso is a game-changer for areas of the body where motion is variable and unpredictable.”
Calypso works in conjunction with the Varian Edge™ radiation system. While a patient is undergoing radiation therapy treatment, Calypso tracks the movement of the tumor target. If the system detects a movement, it communicates that information with the radiation system and automatically turns the radiation beam off until the target moves back into original location.
“Radiation oncology clinicians are tasked not only with delivering the radiation treatment that patients need, but also with helping to reduce exposure of healthy tissue,” said Dr. Desai. “In an area like the prostate, this is a challenge, because there is near-constant unintentional movement, like the bladder or rectum filling or respiratory motion, and there just isn’t a great way to stop the body from doing the things that it needs to do. Calypso helps track any movement and helps our clinicians deliver therapy precisely and accurately.”
For now, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic will use Calypso tumor tracking for most patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer. In the near future, the tracking system will be expanded to include other types and sites of cancer.
To learn more about the Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center and its Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery services, visit Kelsey-Seybold.com/cancercenter or call 713-389-4474.
About Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is Houston’s premier multispecialty group practice, founded in 1949 by Dr. Mavis Kelsey in Houston’s famous Texas Medical Center. More than 400 physicians and allied health professionals practice at 19 locations and an accredited Sleep Center in the Greater Houston area. Medical services offered by Kelsey-Seybold include medical care in 55 medical specialties, including primary care and specialty care; outpatient surgery centers; an accredited Sleep Center; a Radiation Therapy Center; laboratory services; advanced radiology services and other diagnostic services; 15 on-site Kelsey pharmacies; and a secure web portal for patients to communicate with their Kelsey-Seybold doctors, get most test results, and schedule appointments.
Kelsey-Seybold has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and a Level 3 (highest) Patient-Centered Medical Home. Kelsey-Seybold has many physicians in the Greater Houston area certified for excellence in diabetes, heart, and stroke care by the NCQA. In addition to these recognitions, Kelsey-Seybold is home to a nationally accredited Breast Diagnostic Center, Endoscopy Center, Infusion Center, and Cancer Center.