UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
or
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 000-50802
RADIATION THERAPY SERVICES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
| Florida | 65-0768951 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 2234 Colonial Boulevard Fort Myers, Florida |
33907 (Zip Code) | |
| (Address Of Principal Executive Offices) | ||
(239) 931-7275
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock of Radiation Therapy Services, Inc. held by non-affiliates based upon the closing price on June 30, 2004, was approximately $152.2 million.
As of February 1, 2005, the number of outstanding shares of common stock of Radiation Therapy Services, Inc. was 22,576,274.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive proxy statement for our annual meeting of shareholders, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
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| Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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| Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
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| Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
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| Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K |
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| NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2004 |
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| Ex-21.1 List of Subsidiaries |
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| Ex-23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP |
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| Ex-31.1 Section 302 Certification of the CEO |
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| Ex-31.2 Section 302 Certification of the CFO |
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| Ex-32.1 Section 906 Certification of the CEO |
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| Ex-32.2 Section 906 Certification of the CFO |
Overview
We are a provider of radiation therapy services to cancer patients. We own, operate and manage treatment centers focused principally on providing comprehensive radiation treatment alternatives ranging from conventional external beam radiation to newer, technologically-advanced options. We believe we are the largest company in the United States focused principally on providing radiation therapy. We opened our first radiation treatment center in 1983 and as of December 31, 2004 provide radiation therapy in 46 freestanding and 10 hospital-based treatment centers. Our treatment centers are clustered into 19 regional networks in 10 states, including Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island. In our 22 years of operation, we have developed a standardized operating model that enables our treatment centers to deliver high-quality, cost-effective patient care. We have a highly experienced management team and a number of our senior radiation oncologists are nationally recognized by the American College of Radiation Oncology for excellence and leadership in the field of radiation oncology.
We completed our initial public offering in June 2004. Our principal executive office is located at 2234 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida and our telephone number is (239)-931-7275. We conduct much of our business under the name of our wholly-owned subsidiary, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. Our corporate website is www.rtsx.com and we make available copies of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on our website under the heading Investor Relations as soon as reasonably practicable after their filing. Our filings are also available on the Securities and Exchange Commissions EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
Industry Overview
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. In 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 1.4 million new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States and that cancer will account for one in every four deaths.
Treatment Options. There are many types of cancer, each of which is unique in how it grows and how it responds to treatment. A physician may choose which treatment or combination of treatments is most appropriate. Individuals diagnosed with cancer have four general treatment options:
| | radiation therapy (treatment with radiation to eliminate cancer cells); |
| | surgery (to remove a tumor); |
| | chemotherapy (treatment with anticancer drugs); and |
| | biological therapy (treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease). |
We focus principally on radiation therapy, which may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy or biological therapy.
Radiation Therapy. According to the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, approximately 50% to 60% of patients diagnosed with cancer receive radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to treat the most common types of cancer, including prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancer, and involves exposing the patient to an external or internal source of radiation. Radiation therapy can be used to cure cancer by destroying cancer cells and, when curing cancer is not possible, to shrink tumors and reduce pressure, pain and relieve other symptoms of the cancer to enhance a patients quality of life.
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Radiation Therapy Technology. The radiation utilized by a radiation oncologist for external beam treatments is produced by a machine known as linear accelerator. A normal course of external beam radiation therapy ranges from 20 to 40 total treatments, given daily over a four to eight week period. Recent research has produced new, advanced methods for performing radiation treatments. These advanced methods result in more effective treatments that minimize the harm to healthy tissues that surround the tumor and therefore result in fewer side effects.
Radiation Therapy Market. According to the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, it is estimated that there are over 3,900 radiation oncologists in the United States and approximately 2,000 hospital and freestanding radiation therapy centers. We believe that growth in the radiation therapy market will be driven by the following trends:
| | aging of the population in the United States, as 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people over age 55; |
| | earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer; |
| | increased knowledge of and demand for advanced treatments by patients; |
| | growing utilization of advanced treatment technologies; and |
| | discovery of new and innovative means of delivering radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. |
We believe most of our competitors are not in a position to take full advantage of the opportunities within the market due to barriers to entry, such as significant capital requirements, limited size of operations, lack of depth in important areas such as technology, limited number and experience of physicians, availability of resources and lack of management experience.
Our Operating Strategy
Our goal is to provide cancer patients with radiation therapy treatments to maximize clinical outcomes. We focus principally on providing a broad spectrum of radiation therapy in both a patient-friendly environment and cost-effective manner. Our model is designed to maximize our relationships with patients and referring physicians, as well as attract and retain radiation oncologists. We believe that our operating strategy enables us to maximize patient service, quality of care and financial performance. The key elements of our operating strategy are to:
Emphasize Patient Service. We focus on providing our patients with an environment that minimizes the stress and uncertainty of being diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Our goal is to see patients within 24 hours of a referral and typically begin treatment within several days thereafter. Our radiation oncologist discusses the proposed treatment, the possible side effects and the expected results of treatment with the patient and is available to respond to questions or concerns at any time. Other services we provide include nutritional counseling and assistance with reimbursement from third-party payors. We believe that our focus on patient service enhances the quality of care provided and differentiates us from other radiation therapy providers.
Provide Advanced Radiation Treatment Alternatives. Within our regional markets, we are a leader in providing the most advanced radiation therapy alternatives. The advanced radiation treatment alternatives we provide are designed to deliver more effective radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing harm to surrounding tissues and therefore reduce side effects. We have directly benefited from the increasing awareness of cancer patients to these advanced radiation treatment alternatives.
Establish and Maintain Strong Clinical Relationships with Referring Physicians. Our team of radiation oncologists seeks to develop and maintain strong working clinical relationships with referring physicians by:
| | establishing a presence in the medical community and receiving referrals for radiation therapy based on our reputation for providing a high standard of quality patient care; |
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| | providing excellent patient service and involving the referring physician in the care of the patient; and |
| | educating our existing and potential referring physicians on new methods of radiation therapy. |
Recruit and Retain Leading Radiation Oncologists. We recruit radiation oncologists with excellent academic and clinical backgrounds who we believe have potential for professional growth. Our more senior oncologists are members of numerous professional organizations and have developed national reputations for excellence. We attract and retain radiation oncologists by:
| | offering them the opportunity to join an established team of leaders in the field of radiation oncology; |
| | providing them greater access to advanced technologies; |
| | offering them the opportunity to develop expertise in advanced treatment procedures; |
| | enabling them to conduct research and encouraging them to publish their results; and |
| | providing them with the opportunity to earn above the national average compensation for radiation oncologists. |
Cluster Our Treatment Centers Into Regional Networks. We cluster our treatment centers into regional networks, which enables us to offer our patients a wide array of radiation therapy services in a cost-effective manner. By concentrating our treatment centers within a given geography, we are able to leverage our investment in advanced treatment technologies and our clinical and operational expertise across a larger patient population. Treatment centers in each of our clusters also share support services, such as physics, which leads to lower operating costs per treatment center. We are also able to better leverage our relationships with managed care payors due to the number of patients treated within our regional networks.
Continually Enhance Operational Efficiencies. During our 22 years of operations, we have developed a standardized operating model that enables our treatment centers to cost-effectively deliver high-quality patient care. We continue to enhance our operating performance through the use of established protocols and procedures in our clinical operations. Furthermore, we have a centralized approach to business functions such as accounting, administration, billing, collection, marketing and purchasing, which we believe results in significant economies of scale and operating efficiencies.
Our Growth Strategy
Our growth strategy is to further increase our market share within our established regional networks and selectively expand into new regions. The key elements of our growth strategy are to:
Increase Revenue and Profitability of Our Existing Treatment Centers
We plan to increase revenue and profitability at our treatment centers within established regional networks by:
| | increasing clinical referrals from physicians; |
| | expanding our offering of advanced treatment services; |
| | focusing on the continued implementation of standardized treatment protocols; |
| | adding additional radiation oncologists; and |
| | entering into additional payor relationships. |
Develop New Treatment Centers Within Our Existing Regional Networks
We plan to develop treatment centers to expand our existing regional networks. We have experience in the design and construction of radiation treatment centers, having developed 21 treatment centers located in Florida,
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Maryland, Nevada, New York and Rhode Island. Our newly-developed treatment centers typically achieve positive cash flow within six to twelve months after opening. We currently have one new treatment center under development within an existing regional networks.
Selectively Enter New Regions
We plan to selectively expand into new regions through acquisition, new treatment center development and strategic alliances and joint ventures. We evaluate potential expansion into new regions based on:
| | demographic characteristics, including the number and concentration of Medicare recipients, population trends and historical and projected patient population growth and radiation treatment volumes; |
| | the extent to which we may have any pre-existing relationships with physicians or hospitals; |
| | the current competitive landscape of existing freestanding or hospital-based radiation treatment centers; |
| | the payor environment; and |
| | the regulatory environment. |
Expand Through Acquisitions. We plan to enter new regions through the acquisition of established treatment centers that provide us the opportunity to leverage our current infrastructure. We seek to acquire treatment centers with leading radiation oncologists, strong clinical referral sources and substantial prospects for growth. We believe that significant opportunity exists to add value to acquired treatment centers by providing advanced radiation therapy technology and services and by implementing our proven operating model which includes our standardized operating systems. We have entered 9 new regions through acquisitions and have acquired 25 treatment centers to date.
Expand Through New Treatment Center Development. Where desirable, we plan to enter new regions by internally developing new radiation treatment centers. We have established nine new regional networks located in Florida, New York, Maryland and Rhode Island by internally developing new radiation treatment centers. We currently plan to develop new treatment centers in a new region located in California.
Expand Through Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures. We also plan to enter new regions through strategic alliances and joint ventures. To date, we have entered into two regions through these strategic alliances. These strategic alliances and joint ventures vary by region and can include the provision of administrative services, technology services and professional services or any combination thereof. To date, we have established these arrangements primarily with hospitals seeking our expertise in providing high-quality, cost-effective radiation therapy. Our desire and ability to enter into strategic alliances and joint venture arrangements depends on the regulatory and competitive environment and other economic factors. We have experience in effectively structuring these arrangements in a manner designed to meet the needs of multiple constituencies, including the physicians, the hospitals and regulatory authorities. Strategic alliances and joint ventures provide us with alternative methods to enter attractive new markets.
Operations
We have 22 years of experience operating radiation treatment centers. We have developed an integrated operating model which is comprised of the following key elements:
Treatment Center Operations. Our treatment centers are designed specifically to deliver high-quality radiation therapy in a patient-friendly environment. A treatment center typically has one or two linear accelerators, with additional rooms for simulators, computed tomography (CT) scans, physician offices, film processing and physics functions. In addition, treatment centers include a patient waiting room, dressing rooms, exam rooms and hospitality rooms, all of which are designed to minimize patient stress.
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Cancer patients referred to one of our radiation oncologists are provided with an initial consultation which includes an evaluation of the patients condition to determine if radiation therapy is appropriate, followed by a discussion of the effects of the therapy. If radiation therapy is selected as a method of treatment, the medical staff engages in clinical treatment planning. Clinical treatment planning utilizes x-rays, CT imaging, ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and, in many cases, advanced computerized 3-D conformal imaging programs, in order to locate the tumor, determine the best treatment modality and the treatments optimal radiation dosage, and select the appropriate treatment regimen.
Our radiation treatment centers typically range from 5,000 to 12,000 square feet, have a radiation oncologist and a staff ranging between 10 and 25 people, depending on treatment center capacity and patient volume. The typical treatment center staff includes: radiation therapists, who deliver the radiation therapy, medical assistants or medical technicians, an office financial manager, receptionist, transcriptionist, block cutter, file clerk and van driver. Because we are organized into regional networks, we can more efficiently provide certain specialists to each treatment center, such as physicists, dosimetrists and engineers who service the treatment centers within each regional network.
Standardized Operating Procedures. We have developed standardized operating procedures for our treatment centers in order to ensure that our professionals are able to operate uniformly and efficiently. Our manuals, policies and procedures are refined and modified as needed to increase productivity and efficiency and to provide for the safety of our employees and patients. We believe that our standard operating procedures facilitate the interaction of physicians, physicists, dosimetrists and radiation therapists and permit the interchange of employees among our treatment centers. In addition, standardized procedures facilitate the training of new employees.
Coding and Billing. Coding involves the translation of data from a patients medical chart to our billing system for submission to third-party payors. Our treatment centers provide radiation therapy services under approximately 60 different professional and technical codes which determine reimbursement. Our Medical Director along with our certified professional coders work together to establish coding and billing rules and procedures to be utilized at our radiation treatment centers providing consistency across centers. In each radiation treatment center, our office financial manager is in charge of executing these rules and procedures with the trained personnel located at each treatment center. To provide an external check on the integrity of the coding process, we have retained the services of a third-party consultant to review and assess our coding procedures and processes on a periodic basis. Billing and collection functions are centrally performed by a staff at our executive offices.
Management Information Systems. We utilize centralized management information systems to closely monitor data related to each treatment centers operations and financial performance. Our management information systems are used to track patient data, physician productivity and coding, as well as billing functions. Our management information systems also provide monthly budget analyses, financial comparisons to prior periods and comparisons among treatment centers, thus enabling management to evaluate the individual and collective performance of our treatment centers. We developed a proprietary image and text retrieval system referred to as the Oncology Wide-Area Network, which facilitates the storage and review of patient medical charts and films. We periodically review our management information systems for possible refinements and upgrading. Our management information systems personnel install and maintain our system hardware, develop and maintain specialized software and are able to integrate the systems of the practices we acquire.
Engineering and Physics Departments. We have established engineering and physics departments which implement standardized procedures for the acquisition, installation, calibration, use, maintenance and replacement of our linear accelerators, simulators and related equipment, as well as to the overall operation of our treatment centers. Our engineers perform preventive maintenance, repairs and installations of our linear accelerators. This enables our treatment centers to maximize equipment productivity and to minimize downtime. In addition, the engineering department maintains a warehouse of linear accelerator parts in order to provide
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equipment backup. Our physicists monitor and test the accuracy and integrity of each of our linear accelerators on a regular basis to ensure the safety and effectiveness of patient treatment. This testing also helps ensure that the linear accelerators are uniformly and properly calibrated.
Total Quality Management Program. We strive to achieve total quality management throughout our organization. Our treatment centers, either directly or in cooperation with the appropriate professional corporation or hospital, have a standardized total quality management program consisting of programs to monitor the design of the individual treatment of the patient via the evaluation of charts by radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and radiation therapists and for the ongoing validation of radiation therapy equipment. Each of our new radiation oncologists is assigned to a senior radiation oncologist who reviews each patients course of treatment through the patients medical chart using our Oncology Wide-Area Network. Furthermore, the data in our patient database is used to evaluate patient outcomes and to modify treatment patterns as necessary to improve patient care. We also utilize patient questionnaires to monitor patient satisfaction with the radiation therapy they receive.
Clinical Research. We believe that a well-managed clinical research program enhances the reputation of our radiation oncologists and our ability to recruit new radiation oncologists. Our treatment centers participate in national cooperative group trials and we have a full-time, in-house research staff to assure compliance with such trials and to perform related outcome analyses. We maintain a proprietary database of information on over 65,000 patients. The data collected includes tumor characteristics such as stage, histology and grade, radiation treatment parameters, other treatments delivered, complications and information on disease recurrences. In addition, follow-up data on disease status and patient survival rates are collected. This data can be used by the radiation oncologists to conduct research and improve patient care. We also assist the radiation oncologists with research in the form of outcome studies. These studies often are presented at international conferences and published in trade journals. To date, our radiation oncologists have published more than 200 articles in peer reviewed journals and related periodicals.
School of Radiation Therapy. In 1989, we founded The Radiation Therapy School for Radiation Therapy Technology which is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The school trains individuals to become radiation therapists. Upon graduation, students become eligible to take the national registry examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Radiation therapists are responsible for administering treatments prescribed by radiation oncologists and monitoring patients while under treatment. Since opening in 1989, the school has produced 74 graduates, 30 of whom are currently employed by us.
Privacy of Medical Information. We focus on being compliant with new regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, regarding privacy, security and transmission of health information. We have implemented such regulations into our existing systems, standards and policies to ensure compliance.
Compliance Program. We have a compliance program that is consistent with guidelines issued by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services. As part of this compliance program, we adopted a code of ethics and have a full-time compliance officer at the corporate level. Our program includes an anonymous hotline reporting system, compliance training programs, auditing and monitoring programs and a disciplinary system to enforce our code of ethics and other compliance policies. It also includes a process for screening all employees through applicable federal and state databases of sanctioned individuals. Auditing and monitoring activities include claims preparation and submission and also cover issues such as coding, billing, and financial arrangements with physicians. These areas are also the focus of our specialized training programs.
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Service and Treatment Offerings
We believe our radiation treatment centers are distinguishable from those of many of our competitors because we are able to offer patients a full spectrum of radiation therapy alternatives, including conventional external beam radiation therapy and advanced services such as image guided radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, 3-D conformal treatment planning, patient targeting systems, brachytherapy (including prostate seed implants and high dose rate remote after-loading of radioactive sources) and stereotactic radiosurgery. Radiation therapy is given in one of two ways: externally or internally, with some cancers treated with both internal and external radiation therapy. Most people undergoing radiation therapy for cancer are treated with external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to treat the most common types of cancers including: prostate, breast, lung and colorectal.
External Beam Therapy. External beam radiation therapy involves exposing the patient to an external source of radiation through the use of a machine that directs radiation at the cancer. Machines utilized for external beam radiation therapy vary as some are better for treating cancers near the surface of the skin and others are better for treating cancers deeper in the body. A linear accelerator, the most common type of machine used for external beam radiation therapy, can create both high-energy and low-energy radiation. High-energy radiation is used to treat many types of cancer while low-energy radiation is used to treat some forms of skin cancer. A course of external beam radiation therapy normally ranges from 20 to 40 treatments. Treatments generally are given to a patient once each day with each session lasting for 10 to 20 minutes.
Internal Radiation Therapy. Internal radiation therapy also called brachytherapy, involves the placement of the radiation source inside the body. The source of the radiation (such as radioactive iodine) is sealed in a small holder called an implant and is introduced through the aid of thin wires or plastic tubes. Internal radiation therapy places the radiation source as close as possible to the cancer cells and delivers a higher dose of radiation in a shorter time than is possible with external beam treatments. Internal radiation therapy is typically used for cancers of the lung, esophagus, breast, uterus, thyroid, cervix and prostate. Implants may be removed after a short time or left in place permanently (with the radioactivity of the implant dissipating over a short time frame). Temporary implants may be either low-dose rate or high-dose rate. Low-dose rate implants are left in place for several days; high-dose rate implants are removed after a few minutes.
Since all of our treatment centers are clustered into regional networks, our treatment centers are distinguished from those of many of our competitors by our ability to offer advanced radiation therapy services. Our advanced radiation treatment services include: image guided radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, 3-D conformal treatment planning, patient targeting systems, stereotactic radiosurgery and high- and low-dose rate brachytherapy.
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The following table sets forth the forms of radiation therapy services and treatments that we offer:
| Technologies: |
Description: | |
| Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) |
Enables radiation oncologists to utilize imaging at time of treatment to localize tumors and to accurately mirror the contour of a tumor from any angle. | |
| Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) |
Enables radiation oncologist to adjust the intensity of radiation levels delivered to more effectively treat certain cancers. | |
| Respiratory Gating |
Enables radiation oncologist to treat cancers in the lung and upper abdomen with a noninvasive technique that accounts for respiratory motion allowing more accurate treatment. | |
| 3-D Conformal Treatment Planning |
Enables radiation oncologist to utilize three dimensional images of tumors to more accurately and effectively plan radiation treatments. | |
| Patient Targeting System (PTS) |
Enables radiation oncologist to better target tumors that are located near surrounding organs while minimizing the effects of radiation treatment on such organs. | |
| Stereotactic Radiosurgery |
Enables delivery of very high doses of radiation treatment to certain lesions such as brain cancers. | |
| High-Dose Rate Remote Brachytherapy |
Enables radiation oncologist to treat cancer by internally delivering higher doses of radiation directly to the cancer for a few minutes. | |
| Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy |
Enables radiation oncologist to treat cancer by internally delivering lower doses of radiation directly to the cancer over an extended period of time (e.g., prostate seed implants). | |
Image Guided Radiation Therapy. This technology provides the radiation oncologist with a mechanism to achieve increased precision in radiation therapy targeting. The technique utilizes high-resolution x-rays or ultrasound imaging to pinpoint internal tumor sites before treatment and overcomes the limitations of conventional skin marking traditionally used for patient positioning. IGRT represents the convergence of medical imaging and high precision external beam therapy. The Company has a pilot program using kV x-rays in one of its centers and believes that expanded reimbursement for the technology, currently available in hospital outpatient settings effective January 1, 2005, will accelerate the implementation of this new technology across the Companys regional networks.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. With IMRT, radiation can be focused at thousands of pinpoints and delivered by varying levels of beam intensity directly to a tumor. Because IMRT uses variable intensity beams, it can be used to treat tumors to higher doses and better spare normal tissue. IMRT technology can be programmed to actually wrap and angle beams of radiation around normal tissue and organs, protecting good cells as it destroys the tumor. As such, IMRT patients typically experience fewer side effects, which helps them to maintain their strength and lead more normal lifestyles during treatment.
Respiratory gating. This noninvasive technique allows radiation targeting and delivery to account for respiratory motion in the treatment of cancers in the lung and upper abdomen, protecting healthy structures while
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directing higher doses of radiation to the tumor. Respiratory gating matches radiation treatment to a patients respiratory pattern. When a person breathes, the chest wall moves in and out, and any structures inside the chest and upper abdomen also move. In the past, when radiation beams were aimed at a target inside those areas of the body, movement had to be accounted for by planning a large treatment area. With respiratory gating, radiation treatment is timed to an individuals breathing pattern with the beam delivered only when the tumor is in the targeted area.
3-D Conformal Treatment Planning. 3-D conformal treatment planning and computer simulation produces an accurate image of the tumor and surrounding organs so that multiple radiation beams can be shaped exactly to the contour of the treatment area. Because the radiation beams are precisely focused, nearby normal tissue is spared from radiation. In 3-D conformal treatment planning, state-of-the-art radiation therapy immobilization devices and computerized dosimetric software are utilized so that CT scans can be directly incorporated into the radiation therapy plan.
Patient Targeting System. Patient targeting system (PTS) is a specialized radiation therapy technique that is utilized for daily localization and targeting of anatomic locations. PTS incorporates the use of an ultrasound device to ensure accuracy in anatomic locations where there is organ movement, such as the prostate, thereby minimizing the radiation delivered to normal tissue structures.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery involves a single intense high-dose beam of radiation to a small area. This form of therapy typically is used to treat tumors of the brain that cannot be treated by other means, such as surgery or chemotherapy. Precise calculations for radiation delivery are required. Treatment also requires extensive clinical planning and is provided in conjunction with the referring surgeon and under the direct supervision of a radiation oncologist and a physicist. Stereotactic radiosurgery often involves immobilization of the head through the use of a neurosurgical frame to assure precise immobilization for the delivery of radiation therapy.
Brachytherapy. Brachytherapy involves the use of surgical and fiberoptic procedures to place high-dose rate or low-dose rate sources of radiation in the patients body. This technique is used for implantation of sources into the prostate, intraluminal therapy within the esophagus and endobronchial therapy within the lungs. Prostate seed implants involve the permanent placement of radioactive pellets within the prostate gland.
High-Dose Rate Remote Brachytherapy. In high-dose rate remote brachytherapy, a computer sends the radioactive source through a tube to a catheter or catheters that have been placed near the tumor by the radiation oncologist. The radioactivity remains at the tumor for only a few minutes. In some cases, several remote treatments may be required, and the catheters may stay in place between treatments. High-dose rate remote brachytherapy is available in most of our regional networks and patients receiving this treatment are able to return home after each treatment. This form of brachytherapy has been used to treat cancers of the cervix, breast, lung, biliary tree, prostate and esophagus. MammoSite® Radiation Therapy is used for partial breast irradiation and works by delivering radiation from inside the lumpectomy cavity directly to the tissue where the cancer is most likely to recur.
Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy. We are actively involved in radioactive seed implantation for prostate cancer, the most frequent application of low-dose rate brachytherapy. There are several advantages to low-dose rate brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer, including convenience to the patient as the patient generally can resume normal daily activities within hours after the procedure. This procedure is performed by a team of physicians and staff with nearly a decade of experience in prostate brachytherapy. During the procedure, radioactive sources or seeds are inserted directly into the prostate, minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding tissues while permitting an escalation of the dose concentrated in the area of the cancer.
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The following is a list of the services and treatments that we offer within each of our 19 regional networks as of December 31, 2004:
| Brachytherapy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regional Network |
Year Established |
Number of Centers |
External Beam |
IMRT |
3-D |
PTS |
Stereotactic |
High Dose |
Low Dose | ||||||||||||||||
| Lee CountyFlorida |
1983 | 5 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||
| Charlotte/ DeSoto CountiesFlorida |
1986 | 2 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||
| Sarasota/ Manatee CountiesFlorida |
1992 | 4 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||
| Collier CountyFlorida |
1993 | 2 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||
| Broward CountyFlorida |
1993 | 4 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||
| Dade CountyFlorida |
1996 | 2 | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||
| Las Vegas, Nevada |
1997 | 4 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||
| Westchester/ BronxNew York |
1997 | 6 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||
| Mohawk Valley, New York |
1998 | 3 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||
| Delmarva Peninsula |
1998 | 3 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||
| Northwest Florida |
2001 | 3 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||
| Western North Carolina |
2002 | 7 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||
| Palm Beach CountyFlorida |
2002 | 1 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||
| Central Kentucky |
2003 | 3 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||
| Florida Keys |
2003 | 1 | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||
| Southeastern Alabama |
2003 | 1 | ü | &nbs | |||||||||||||||||||||