“This gain in dosimetric quality will consequently reduce the risk of tumor underdosage and overdosage of critical OARs.”
Radiate as if It Were a Native Spine
Treatment paths vary depending on tumor type. Tumor resection and spinal stabilization using implants are often combined with subsequent radiation therapy. Implant material is crucial for the most successful adjuvant radiation therapy. Implants made of titanium have been shown to reduce local tumor control.1Snider et al. (2018): Long-Term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors After Pencil-Beam Scanning Proton Radiation Therapy for Spinal Chordomas: A Large, Single-Institution Cohort. International Journal of Radiation Oncology – Biology – Physics. (PubMed, PMID: 29619966)With implants made of artifact-free and radiolucent BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK, you can perform radiation therapy without restrictions, just as you would with a native, uninstrumented spine2Shi et al. (2022): Comprehensive Evaluation of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) Spinal Hardware for Proton and Photon Planning. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. (PubMed, PMID: 35410544)– the best conditions for targeted radiation therapy for spinal neoplasms.
Expanded Therapy Options
A significant benefit of BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK compared to titanium implants is the expanded treatment spectrum. The material characteristics allow unrestricted access to stereotactic irradiation2Shi et al. (2022): Comprehensive Evaluation of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) Spinal Hardware for Proton and Photon Planning. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. (PubMed, PMID: 35410544)3Henzen et al. (2022): Feasibility of Postoperative Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Proximity of Carbon and Titanium Hybrid Implants Using a Robotic Radiotherapy Device. Radiation Oncology. (PubMed, PMID: 35549961)and proton therapy.4Poel et al. (2020): Assessing the Advantages of CFR-PEEK over Titanium Spinal Stabilization Implants in Proton Therapy – A Phantom Study. Physics in Medicine and Biology. (PubMed, PMID: 32315991)5Müller et al. (2020): The Dosimetric Impact of Stabilizing Spinal Implants in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning with Protons and Photons: Standard Titanium Alloy vs. Radiolucent Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Systems. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. (PubMed, PMID: 32476247)
Robust Plan Quality
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK implants make both exact and quick radiation therapy planning possible. The material can be safely used in both proton and photon irradiation.2Shi et al. (2022): Comprehensive Evaluation of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) Spinal Hardware for Proton and Photon Planning. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. (PubMed, PMID: 35410544) 4Poel et al. (2020): Assessing the Advantages of CFR-PEEK over Titanium Spinal Stabilization Implants in Proton Therapy – A Phantom Study. Physics in Medicine and Biology. (PubMed, PMID: 32315991)5Müller et al. (2020): The Dosimetric Impact of Stabilizing Spinal Implants in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning with Protons and Photons: Standard Titanium Alloy vs. Radiolucent Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Systems. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. (PubMed, PMID: 32476247)
Precise Radiation Application
The radiolucent BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK allows precise and homogeneous application of the prescribed radiation dose in the target volume. This significantly reduces the risk of underdosing the tumor tissue.4Poel et al. (2020): Assessing the Advantages of CFR-PEEK over Titanium Spinal Stabilization Implants in Proton Therapy – A Phantom Study. Physics in Medicine and Biology. (PubMed, PMID: 32315991)5Müller et al. (2020): The Dosimetric Impact of Stabilizing Spinal Implants in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning with Protons and Photons: Standard Titanium Alloy vs. Radiolucent Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Systems. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. (PubMed, PMID: 32476247)
Protection of the Healthy Tissue
The radiolucency of our material ensures high-precision radiation. The spinal cord and organs at risk can be precisely omitted.2Shi et al. (2022): Comprehensive Evaluation of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK) Spinal Hardware for Proton and Photon Planning. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. (PubMed, PMID: 35410544)5Müller et al. (2020): The Dosimetric Impact of Stabilizing Spinal Implants in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning with Protons and Photons: Standard Titanium Alloy vs. Radiolucent Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Systems. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. (PubMed, PMID: 32476247)
Reduced Exposure Diagnostic to Radiation
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK enables high-quality MR imaging for planning radiation therapy. CT myelography to delineate the spinal cord from the epidural tumor volume, which is stressful for the patient, can potentially be avoided.6Almeida et al. (2022): Carbon Fiber Reinforced PEEK Implants for Spine Tumors: A Single Center Experience. The Spine Journal, Volume 22, Issue 9, Supplement, Page S185 (Link)
The next step in tumor control:
Aftercare
BlackArmor® Carbon/PEEK enables an improvement of the entire treatment pathway – also in aftercare.