What is Novalis? How do I know if it will help me or someone I care about?

Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Novalis delivers precise doses of high-energy radiation directly to the tumor or area being treated. It continuously shapes the treatment beam to match the size and shape of the tumor from all angles. This method of delivery ensures that the entire tumor receives the fully prescribed dose of radiation, while at the same time protecting the surrounding normal tissue. This reduces potential damage to delicate structures such as the brain, spinal cord, or optic nerves.

How do I know if I am a candidate for treatment?

Novalis can be used to treat benign and malignant brain tumors, metastatic tumors or recurrent brain tumors, functional brain disorders, intractable seizures, head and neck tumors and other tumors within the body; such as the liver, lung, prostate and spine. However, not all patients may be candidates for treatment with Novalis. Before deciding on treatment with Novalis, a review of your medical history is completed by your team of doctors.

All available treatment options are considered and the choice of treatment will depend upon your particular diagnosis, tumor or lesion size and location, as well as your personal treatment preferences. The decision process may also lead to a combination of different treatment options, including Novalis.

What is the difference between stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy?

Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery is either applied in a single session with a high dose of radiation, also known as stereotactic radiosurgery, or in a series of treatments over a period of time, known as fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy.

For Stereotactic Radiosurgery, a temporary headframe is placed which helps in treatment planning, as well as to assure that the patient's head is held in precisely the same position during the treatment.

Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy involves similiar doses of radiation as stereotactic radiosurgery, but the radiation is delivered in small amounts. Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy allows the healthy tissue to recover from the impact of the radiation before the next treatment session. Your doctors will recommend the technique most appropriate for you, depending on the size and location of your tumor or lesion. For fractionated treatments, a face mask is worn instead of the metal head frame. Each face mask is individually formed to perfectly fit the patient's head and unique facial shape. For tumors elsewhere in the body, other immobilization devices are used to assure that the patient is positioned the same way for each treatment.

With Novalis, the radiation beams are shaped to match the exact contour of the tumor or lesion, so that even irregularly shaped tumors or lesions can receive an even dose of prescribed radiation to the entire tumor or lesion. Sophisticated software calculates the ideal access points to the tumor or lesion and defines the individual treatment plan.

During Treatment, Novalis steadily moves around the patient's body so that radiation penetrates the tumor or lesion from different angles. This allows the tumor or lesion to receive the full dose of radiation, while the surrounding healthy tissue receives a very small fraction of radiation. This reduces potential damage to delicate structures such as the brainstem or spinal cord.

What effect is the radiation likely to have on my disease?

Novalis' high energy radiation beams aim to destroy tumor cells by damaging the cells and causing them to die. Visible results, as seen on a follow-up scan, might include shrinkage of the tumor or the halt of further tumor growth. Because cell destruction and the absorption of the cells within your system is a long-lasting process, it can take up to six months before the effect of the treatment is visible on a follow-up image.

Will there be any side effects?

The procedure itself is not painful, although some patients state that they find the head frame that must be worn for radiosurgery of brain tumors to be slightly uncomfortable. Side effects that you might experience immediately following treatment include headache and dizziness. Your doctor will discuss specific side effects with you, which may occur depending on your overall treatment plan.

What are the benefits of Novalis for the treatment of my disease?

There are several reasons why you might want to ask about being treated with Novalis:

• Novalis is extremely precise and radiation damage to normal tissue is minimized.
• Novalis ensures that the tumor or lesion receives an even distribution of the prescribed radiation dose. It does this by shaping the beam to accurately match the contour of the tumor or lesion.
• Novalis is one of the most technologically advanced procedure available today.
• Novalis is non-invasive, resulting in no surgical scarring or disfigurement.
• Novalis is virtually painless and treatment is usually performed on an out-patient basis.
• Novalis, for some brain tumors and lesions, allows a complete treatment session to be delivered in a single day. Your doctor will decide if your treatment will be given in one day or over a series of several days.
• Novalis allows most people to return to normal activities the same or next day.