Image-Guided Therapies: Radiological Society of North America Media Briefing; Experts Discuss Latest Research 6/12/2003
From: Maureen Morley, 630-590-7754, or Doug Dusik, 630-571-7845, both of the Radiological Society of North America News Advisory: What: "IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPIES"- A Radiological Society of North America Media Briefing World-renowned experts in the field of radiology discuss their latest medical research and the present and future role of interventional radiology in modern health care. When: Thursday, June 19, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Westin New York at Times Square, 270 W. 43rd St., New York City Contact: Maureen Morley at 630-590-7754 or Doug Dusik at 630-571-7845 Press Releases available online at 7 a.m. (ET) June 19 at http://www.rsna.org/media/briefings/2003 WOMEN'S HEALTH Less Invasive Procedure Replaces Fibroid Surgery -- Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a safe, effective, minimally invasive alternative to hysterectomy, and recent studies have found that it may allow previously infertile (due to fibroids) women to give birth. Minimally Invasive Procedure Successfully Treats Painful Varicose Veins in the Pelvic Region -- Chronic pelvic pain affects up to 15 percent of women, most between ages 20 and 50. An often-overlooked cause of this pain is ovarian vein reflux (pelvic congestion syndrome). While this condition is treatable, many tests don't detect it, and women are left to believe "it's all in their head." VASCULAR DISEASE Brain Aneurysms Successfully Treated Without Open Surgery -- Brain aneurysms affect 2 percent - 5 percent of the U.S. population. Half of ruptured aneurysms result in death, and a quarter more result in stroke or neurological deficit. Radiologists are now using a nonsurgical procedure called detachable coil embolization to isolate and fill weakened cerebral blood vessels that are in danger of rupturing. Endografts Help Prevent Deaths from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms -- Every year, roughly 3 percent - 9 percent of Americans between the ages of 60 and 70 suffer an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Large aneurysms are prone to rupture. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms are the 13th leading cause of death in the U.S. Only 50 percent of patients brought to the E.R. with this condition survive. Now physicians are treating and preventing ruptured aneurysms with stent grafts. Endografts are minimally invasive and offer patients fewer complications, less pain and a quicker recovery than open surgical repair. CANCER & METABOLIC DISORDERS Radiology's Role in Gene Therapy: Image and Deliver -- Gene therapy is offering new hope to cancer patients. Radiologists are helping to develop new technology for imaging genes and delivering them to targeted tumors or cells and collaborating with oncologists and molecular scientists to replace defective genes and inject "suicide genes" into patients to destroy malignant cells. Chemoembolization Helps Patients with Liver Cancer Live Longer -- Chemoembolization is a targeted therapy in which agents are injected directly into liver tumors to stop blood flow and trap the chemotherapy drugs. Patients treated with chemoembolization are living up to three years and with a better quality of life than they would after traditional treatments. Image-guided Suite of the Future Brings Precision to Minimally Invasive Procedures -- Radiologists are using the latest scientific advances to better treat cancer patients. The image-guided "Suite of the Future" merges leading-edge technology like robotics, global positioning system (GPS) guidance, 3-D image generation and image fusion with interventional radiological procedures to offer the utmost in precision. BREAKING NEWS FROM THE JOURNAL RADIOLOGY Radiofrequency, Chemotherapy Prove Effective Duo in Destroying Tumors -- Results from an experimental study on the use of RFA in combination with chemotherapy are so promising one hospital has starting using the combined treatment on liver cancer patients. The researchers report that combining RFA and intravenous liposomal doxorubicin treatments in a rat model reduced overall tumor growth rate by about 25 percent and improved survival by up to three times. To Register in Advance: Download a registration form at http://www.rsna.org/media/briefings/2003 For press kits or more information: Contact Erin Wilt, 630-571-7869, fax: 630-571-7837, e-mail: ewilt@rsna.org |