News Release

August 17, 2007

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

New Advances in Treatment of Prostate Conditions: Sept. 11th Discovery Series

Introducing TomoTherapy, a Revolutionary New Cancer Treatment

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Experts from the University of Connecticut Health Center will provide up-to-date information about common prostate conditions, and will introduce a revolutionary new treatment for prostate cancer, during a Discovery Series presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

As always, the Discovery Series is free and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Health Center’s Keller Auditorium. Registration is required. Please call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692.

Speakers will include Peter Albertsen, M.D., chief of the Health Center’s Division of Urology, director of the UConn Medical Group and a nationally recognized expert in the treatment of prostate disorders, and Robert Dowsett, M.D, director of the Health Center’s Division of Radiation Oncology.

Dr. Albertsen will provide information about benign conditions of the prostate, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is very common among men over age 50. He will also talk about the prevention, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among American men.

Starting this fall, the Health Center will offer the most technologically advanced radiation oncology treatment available for patients with prostate cancer. It’s called the TomoTherapy® Hi-Art® treatment system and the Health Center will be the first site in Connecticut to offer this service.

“Precision and accuracy can make a big difference in treating some tumors that are adjacent to critical organs, such as the prostate,” said Dr. Dowsett, who will provide an overview about TomoTherapy during the Sept. 11 program.

“What makes TomoTherapy unique is its ability to deliver precise treatments to the exact size and shape of the tumor, while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue,” Dr. Dowsett added. For more information about TomoTherapy, visit http://tomotherapy.uchc.edu/.  

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital, a Solucient Top 100 Hospital® 2006. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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