Capital Health Neurosurgeon’s Research Receives National Award for Groundbreaking Treatment of Brain Tumors

New Technology Provides The Latest For Treatment Of Tumors And Lesions

TRENTON, NJ, (October 1, 2008) — Dr. John Lipani, director of Neurosurgical Oncology and surgical director of the CyberKnife® Center at Capital Health, was the co-recipient of the BrainLab Community Neurosurgery Award presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.

The award was given for a multi-institutional investigation for the treatment of brain tumors using CyberKnife radiosurgery. Dr. Lipani’s abstract presentation titled “Survival Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme,” chronicles a novel approach to both the initial and recurrent treatment of primary brain tumors that is more accurate and less time consuming than traditional radiation therapy.

CyberKnife radiosurgery is a new technology that uses a combination of robotics and image-guidance technology to deliver precisely targeted doses of radiation to tumors – even those that are beyond the reach of other radiosurgery systems. It is only available at select hospitals throughout the country. Capital Health System was the first hospital in Central New Jersey to offer brain, spine, and prostate cancer treatments using CyberKnife.

“Since CyberKnife technology is still relatively new to the healthcare industry, this groundbreaking research is among the first studies to show that CyberKnife is at least as effective as conventional radiotherapy, but uses fewer treatments, no incisions, and causes no pain for patients,” Lipani said.

Dr. Lipani received his fellowship training in stereotactic radiosurgery at Stanford University Medical Center, where he studied CyberKnife radiosurgery under world-class CyberKnife expert Dr. John Adler, inventor of the CyberKnife.

Dr. Lipani recently published an article titled “Survival Following CyberKnife Radiosurgery and Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme,” in the June 2008 issue of Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment, a research journal read by practicing oncologists and radiation oncologists throughout the country.

He also penned a chapter titled “Stereotactic Radiosurgery of the Spine” in Elsvier’s 2008 edition of Tumors of the Spine, a textbook used by medical schools to teach aspiring neurosurgeons.

“I expect that through research, we will continue to demonstrate that CyberKnife can be offered as a safe and effective treatment option that optimizes outcomes with maximum comfort and convenience for patients,” Lipani said.