Lenox Hill Hospital

The initiative seeks to understand the crucial role of the omentum, a lesser-known yet vital organ in cancer treatment and overall health. From diagnosis to determination Meg's journey with ovarian cancer began in 2014, marked by vague symptoms like nausea and abdominal distension. “I looked like I was four months pregnant by night,” she recalls. Despite these signs, the absence of an early detection test for ovarian cancer delayed her diagnosis until her gynecologist identified a suspicious complex cyst. A subsequent CA 125 test confirmed elevated levels, leading to a surgical intervention by a gynecological oncologist, who discovered and removed the cancer. Meg added: “In 2014, I faced a stage two cancer diagnosis, and for eight years thereafter, I had no evidence of disease. It was a period of cautious optimism and recovery. However, in 2023, I experienced a recurrence, which led to another round of surgeries and chemotherapy. As I approach nearly a year since completing chemotherapy, I'm grateful that all my personal health indicators and statistics are currently positive. “Ovarian cancer is notoriously under-diagnosed because of its vague symptoms. The acronym B.E.A.T. helps: Bloating, Eating difficulties, Abdominal and back pain, and Toilet issues.” The omentum and digestive woes Post-surgery, Meg faced unexpected digestive issues, which she traced back to the removal of her omentum. The omentum, an apron-like fat organ, plays significant roles in the immune and lymphatic systems and fat storage. Its removal often results in severe digestive issues, especially when commercial foods high in salt are consumed. googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('text-ad1'); }); Meg’s personal experience with digestive distress, such as a six-inch abdominal distension after consuming a small amount of chili at a restaurant, highlighted the urgent need for more research on living without an omentum. “Quality of life was a real issue,” she emphasizes. Birth of the Omentum Project The Omentum Project ​was born out of Meg’s determination to address these challenges. The study focuses on salt’s impact on women with and without an omentum. “We’re seeking 200 women with an omentum and 200 without, who are randomly assigned to low-sodium or high-sodium groups,” Meg details. The study involves a one-time home experiment where participants consume a standardized amount of popcorn and water, with the high-sodium group adding a bouillon cube to their water. This citizen science initiative faced recruitment challenges due to strict eligibility criteria, such as excluding those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or obesity. Yet, the project aims to gather significant data to understand better the omentum’s role and its impact on digestive health. The omentum’s untapped potential The omentum’s potential extends beyond ovarian cancer. Meg highlights innovative uses in brain cancer treatment, lymphedema management, and Alzheimer’s research. At Lenox Hill Hospital, researchers are using the omentum to cross the blood-brain barrier with chemo in recurrent brain cancer cases. MD Anderson studies show success in resolving lymphedema by transplanting the omentum into affected areas, while the University of California at Davis explores its application in improving blood flow in Alzheimer’s patients. “Despite its critical functions, the omentum is largely overlooked in medical education and research,” Meg points out. Dr. de Nicola’s article ​ on the omentum as a powerful regenerative source underscores its importance and the need for heightened awareness. Empowering survivors with knowledge Meg stresses that the project does not advocate against removing the omentum for cancer treatment. Instead, it seeks to empower survivors with knowledge to manage life without this organ. “Just like we educate those without an appendix about their microbiome, we want to provide information for those without an omentum,” Meg says. “We aim to improve their quality of life by understanding how they might need to adjust their diet and lifestyle.” The Omentum Project represents a crucial step in recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors. By shedding light on this understudied organ, Meg hopes to pave the way for more research and support, ultimately improving the lives of many women worldwide. The unpredictable nature of cancer ​ She told OSP the journey has underscored the unpredictable nature of cancer and the importance of ongoing vigilance and treatment advancements. “One significant advancement in my journey has been the approval of new drugs like Olaparib for ovarian cancer, which has been pivotal for cases like mine where there's been recurrence. Knowing that such targeted therapies are available provides a sense of reassurance and hope, demonstrating the strides made in personalized medicine.” Meg says that living without an omentum, as a result of my surgeries, has brought its own set of challenges. The omentum, often overlooked, plays a crucial role in health, particularly in dietary considerations post-surgery. Learning about the impact of salt intake has been eye-opening. Many undergoing chemotherapy find comfort in foods that are often high in salt, like canned soups, not realizing the potential harm. Raising awareness about these nuances, Meg says, is crucial for empowering individuals to make informed choices during recovery. She said: “My involvement with the Omentum Project has been immensely fulfilling. Initially, finding information specific to living without an omentum was challenging. This gap inspired me to collaborate with dedicated volunteers and medical professionals to fill that void. Our efforts have already made a tangible difference, particularly in educating others about dietary adjustments post-omentectomy.” Looking ahead, Meg says her advocacy work aims to expand awareness and support for those navigating similar journeys. The support she received from the community—volunteers who dedicate their time, medical professionals who share their expertise, and fellow survivors who offer empathy—has been invaluable. “Together, we strive to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals facing similar challenges, ensuring that no one feels alone in their battle against cancer,” she says. As Meg reflects on her experience, she says she’s reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community in overcoming adversity. “By sharing my story and contributing to initiatives like the Omentum Project, I hope to inspire others and contribute to a future where cancer treatments continue to advance, offering renewed hope and healing.”

HyperSight is designed to enhance accuracy in delivering radiotherapy treatments, with the goal of effective protection of healthy tissues The addition of HyperSight extends adaptive planning capabilities across Varian treatment platforms HyperSight offers clinicians greater flexibility to streamline workflows and personalize care for patients PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TrueBeam and Edge radiotherapy systems featuring HyperSight imaging solution. By extending the groundbreaking HyperSight imaging solution optional feature to the TrueBeam and Edge systems, Varian continues to revolutionize imaging inside the radiotherapy treatment room and adds new capabilities and workflows across the entire suite of linear accelerators. HyperSight empowers clinicians to accurately tailor treatments to each individual patient with the goal of improving patient outcomes. HyperSight imaging allows clinicians to acquire high-quality images during a patient's daily course of radiation treatments. The enhanced image quality is designed to improve the ability to target tumor volumes more precisely and spare healthy tissue for patients receiving radiation therapy treatments. With the addition of HyperSight, linear accelerators across the Varian portfolio can now produce images that deliver the Hounsfield Unit (HU) accuracy necessary for treatment planning directly on the acquired conebeam CT (CBCT) images. As a result, this technology can be used for offline adaptive planning to adjust for anatomical changes to the tumor and surrounding organs over the course of treatment without the need for an additional trip to a separate CT scanner. HyperSight on TrueBeam and Edge acquires images for all anatomical sites with a 50% faster gantry rotation, significantly reducing acquisition time. In contrast, traditional CBCT scans can take up to 60 seconds, depending on the anatomical site being scanned. A reduction in CBCT acquisition time reduces motion-related artifacts due to patient movement. A shorter image acquisition time may minimize patient discomfort and anxiety due to less time on the treatment table. The Cancer Institute at Northwell Lenox Hill in New York was one of the early adopters of HyperSight imaging on their Halcyon system. "HyperSight imaging has allowed us to improve patient comfort by decreasing the time patients spend on the treatment table while simultaneously targeting with greater confidence," said Dr. Wesley Talcott, Assistant Professor and Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiation Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital. "We look forward to further streamlining care for our patients using HyperSight." Initially launched in 2022 on Varian's Ethos and Halcyon therapy systems, HyperSight has been gaining popularity among clinicians and researchers alike. With nine studies either conducted, in progress, or to be initiated across eight institutions, Varian is committed to better understanding the role HyperSight may play in advancing care and enhancing the patient experience. The customer-led Intelligent Imaging Consortium, created by Varian, offers HyperSight users a forum to collaborate and innovate on trials and studies. "As a Siemens Healthineers company, we are pioneering innovative solutions to advance radiotherapy and connect the power of imaging, both inside and outside the treatment room," said Arthur Kaindl, Head of Varian. "We are excited to expand HyperSight imaging technology to our TrueBeam and Edge platforms and further collaborate with our clinical partners to provide an integrated portfolio that connects the dots along the cancer care continuum." The statement by Varian's customer described above is based on results achieved in the customer's unique clinical setting. Because there is no "typical" clinical setting and many variables exist, there is no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results. VARIAN, TRUEBEAM, EDGE, ETHOS, HALCYON, HYPERSIGHT are trademarks of Varian Medical Systems, Inc., pending or registered U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. About Varian At Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, we envision a world without fear of cancer. For more than 75 years, Varian has developed, built, and delivered innovative technologies and solutions that help care providers around the globe treat millions of patients each year. Today, as a Siemens Healthineers company, we support every step of the cancer care journey – from screening to survivorship. From advanced imaging and radiation therapy, to comprehensive software and services, to interventional radiology, we are harnessing the power of our perspective while also pursuing clinical research to create a more efficient, and more personalized care pathway. Because, for cancer patients everywhere, their fight is our fight. For more information, visit . Press Contact Kristin Corey Varian Corporate Communications [email protected] SOURCE Varian

NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY), the largest retina vitreous center in the New York Metropolitan area, has announced that its esteemed ophthalmologist K. Bailey Freund, MD will serve as the Program Director of the 48th Annual Atlantic Coast Retina Club (ACRC) & 24th Macula Conference (Macula 2024). The ACRC was originally co-founded by Lawrence Yannuzzi, MD, co-founder of VRMNY, as a one-day Friday conference open to all retinal specialists. Twenty-three years after the first ACRC meeting, Dr. Yannuzzi created a Saturday program and Macula 2000 was born. The Conference will take place from January 4th through the 6th at the New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 5th Avenue in New York City. Expected to attract between 400-500 retina specialists from around the world, the meetings' participants will learn about new therapies, recent clinical trial results, artificial intelligence, and the latest retinal imaging technologies. The goal of the conference is to help clinicians better manage their patients with macular and retinal disorders and achieve better patient outcomes in their practices. "Our meeting this year promises to provide new insight into current critical issues which are inherent in retinal diseases and their treatments," said K. Bailey Freund, MD. Among the topics discuss will be recent findings from ongoing pharmacologic and gene therapy trials, advances in retinal imaging, retinal applications for artificial intelligence, and surgical management of retinal diseases. Dr. Freund specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with all retinal disorders. In addition to his work with VRMNY, Dr. Freund is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at The NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is an attending surgeon at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Freund is also a member of the Retina Society, Macula Society, and the American Society of Retina Specialists, and a founding member and trustee of the International Retinal Imaging Society (IntRIS). Dr. Yannuzzi is a co-founder of VRMNY, as well the Director of the LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center of the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital. He is also founder and president of The Macula Foundation, Inc., which has distributed several million dollars to eye research. More information on the 48th Annual Atlantic Coast Retina Club (ACRC) & 24th Macula Conference (Macula 2024) can be found at: About Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York The group of ophthalmologists at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York are internationally known leaders in diagnosing and treating retinal diseases, known as the top New York experts and among the best-rated retina specialists in NYC. In our private practice, physicians prioritize high-quality, individualized eye care while utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. VRMNY doctors are proud to be on Newsweek's list of 350 best ophthalmologists and optometrists in the USA. For more information: About the Annual Atlantic Coast Retina Club (ACRC) The ACRC's began in the early 1970s as a biannual meeting named the "The New York Fluorescein Club" founded by three pre-eminent local retina specialists, which later expanded with the founding of the ACRC, a one-day Friday conference open to all retinal specialists. Twenty-three years after the first ACRC meeting, Dr. Yannuzzi created a Saturday program and Macula 2000 was born. This year continues the long-respected traditions of the ACRC and Macula Meetings. SOURCE Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York