Accuray, a provider in the field of radiosurgery, has reported that French and Italian Health Authorities have recently ruled that CyberKnife treatments will be reimbursed throughout France and the Lombardy region of Italy for the treatment of tumors located anywhere in the body.
Accuray said that the decisions demonstrate the increasing recognition amongst European Health Authorities of the critical role that the CyberKnife System plays in the treatment of patients with inoperable and complex tumors.
According to the company, the CyberKnife System uses real-time tracking and correction capabilities to deliver high-dose radiation to tumors with pin-point accuracy, including tumors that move with respiration or unpredictably due to other normal bodily functions.
As a non-invasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous lesions, the CyberKnife System does not rely on sub-optimal techniques such as gating to account for movement, nor does the system require the use of stabilizing head and body frames that are extremely uncomfortable for patients.
The company said that the validated target tracking technologies of the CyberKnife System make it an easy and comfortable experience for the patient, while providing industry leading radiation delivery accuracy. Treatments are usually completed in one to five sessions with each session typically lasting between 20-45 minutes. In most cases, patients can resume their normal activities immediately following treatment.
Xavier Mirabel, radiation oncologist, Centre Oscar Lambret, Lille, France, one of the CyberKnife users in France, said: “This decision recognizes our efforts to offer best clinical options to cancer patients in daily practice. I am confident that it will facilitate access to high precision radiation therapy in France.”
Franco Casamassima, professor and head of Radiation Oncology at Casa di Cura Santa Chiara, Florence, Italy, said: “The reimbursement of frameless stereotactic radiotherapy delivered by a robotic arm in the Lombardy region paves a great milestone for our daily practice. I’m confident that this decision will likely be expanded further so that our region and all the Italian regions can also benefit from it.”
Anja Kleber, head of public affairs at Accuray EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa), said: “Given the increase in cancer diagnosis in Europe, now more than ever it is crucial that patients and their physicians have access to the full range of innovation in cancer care. By setting appropriate tariffs for the reimbursement of CyberKnife procedures, French and Italian Health Authorities have clearly expressed their desire to make available the unique advantages of high-precision radiation therapy to a larger population of cancer patients.”