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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
San Antonio, TX, United States, 04/20/2005 - New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, U.S. Brachytherapy Markets, reveals that the market achieved revenue worth $157.6 million in 2004 and estimates to reach $300.2 million in 2010..
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Traditionally, urologists are resistant to refer prostate cancer patients to radiation oncologists because they are either deterred by the technical complexity of brachytherapy procedures or prefer to perform prostatectomies due to their lucrative payments. However, reduced reimbursement for external beam and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is likely to compel physicians to consider brachytherapy treatment options for their higher payments.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, U.S. Brachytherapy Markets, reveals that the market achieved revenue worth $157.6 million in 2004 and estimates to reach $300.2 million in 2010.
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end-users and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the U.S. Brachytherapy Markets - then send an email to Danielle White - Corporate Communications at dwhite[.]frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and email. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you via e-mail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have made many modifications to reimbursement payment structure for implantable seeds. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 has also provided for separate payments for brachytherapy seeds.
“These policies eliminate restrictive monetary caps on brachytherapy seed reimbursement,” states Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sheila Ewing. “It enables physicians to decide the seed type, number of seeds, and advanced seed technologies, thereby reducing concern regarding reimbursement restrictions.”
While altering payment structure has helped stave off challenge from prostatectomies, alternative technologies such as hormone therapy or gene modification are posing new threats to brachytherapy. The market is also likely to be challenged by the slow growth in patient population.
Manufacturers promoting recently released positive long-term data results for seed implants can ease friction cased by these market restraints. Several favorable long-term studies on prostate and breast cancer therapies using brachytherapy and most of the results have been favorable. are opening the door for other cancer applications.
“More than 15 years of clinical trial results for brachytherapy drives acceptance in prostate cancer treatment,” observes Ewing. “However, limited data is available for usage of brachytherapy in the treatment of head, neck, and other cancers.”
The largest patient study of prostate brachytherapy primarily using Theragenics Corporation’s palladium seeds demonstrated a cancer-death rate of 81 percent. A 15-year clinical trial by Oncura, exclusively using its OncoSeed, results indicated after a five-year follow-up that 93 percent of patients remained cancer death. Meanwhile, Proxima Therapeutics, Inc.’s 3-year study using its MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS) device for breast cancer, found no local recurrences.
These clinical trials open up markets with opportunities in new applications. Manufacturers that are ahead of their counterparts in providing positive clinical trials for additional cancer applications are anticipated to lead the market in revenue and shares.
“The studies provide critical evidence needed by physicians regarding the effectiveness of brachytherapy for treatment of prostate and breast cancer, and are expected to encourage brachytherapy procedures,” notes Ewing.
Greater opportunities for brachytherapy are expected, especially with the U.S. Congress’ resolution encouraging physicians to inform prostate cancer patients of all proven treatments available and use of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and mammogram tests for early detection of cancer.
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