Technological Advances in Radiation Therapy and Minimally Invasive Surgery will Shape Future Treatment Choices for Prostate Cancer.

DES PLAINES, Ill. -- Despite the availability of many effective therapies, trade-offs between patient lifestyle factors and potential complications of treatment have led to controversy among urologists and radiation oncologists regarding the optimal mix of treatments for localized prostate cancer. A new report from IMV Limited, Trends in the Prostate Cancer Treatment Market: 2007 and Beyond, provides insights into the roles and practices of U.S. urologists and radiation oncologists in the prostate cancer treatment process. Such insights include procedure volumes, opinions about the relative efficacy of different therapies, and ratings of brachytherapy seed vendors on attributes such as product quality and customer service.

"In general, less invasive treatment modalities will continue to gain favor. Both urologists and radiation oncologists expect the use of Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) to become much more widespread within the next few years, leading to more focused treatment that will be delivered in fewer sessions," observed Mary C. Patton, Director, Market Research at IMV. "But unlike the radiation oncologists, many urologists predict that the use of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy will grow significantly in the near future, taking advantage of nerve-sparing techniques and robotic assistance to reinforce surgery as their first-line treatment of choice for patients with localized disease."

The research also found that over 90% of the urologists and all of the radiation oncologists in the survey sample have ordered or performed EBRT procedures for their patients with prostate cancer during the past twelve months. Further, 78% of respondents have ordered or performed LDR brachytherapy seed implants for their patients with prostate cancer during the past twelve months.

The report is based on new primary market research involving 122 urologists and 115 radiation oncologists throughout the United States who actively treat patients with prostate cancer. The research also highlights key market trends that will impact the mix of providers and therapeutic options used in the near future. Such trends include the emergence of new radiation and non-radiation based therapies and the purchase of radiation therapy equipment by urology groups.

For more information about IMV's Census Databases and Market Reports, visit the corporate website at www.imvinfo.com or call 847-297-1404 to speak with a representative. IMV is a market research consulting firm founded in 1977 specializing in medical imaging and other advanced healthcare technology markets. IMV's marketing consulting services, in combination with our census databases of U.S. imaging sites with selected modalities, provide clients valuable assistance in strategic planning, customer satisfaction, product development and sales initiatives.