First International Brain Cancer Treatments Performed Utilizing IsoRay's GliaSite Radiation Therapy System

RICHLAND, WA--(Marketwire - Feb 21, 2013) - IsoRay, Inc. (http://www.isoray.com/) (NYSE MKT: ISR), a medical technology company and innovator in seed brachytherapy and medical radioisotope applications, today announced the first international implementation of IsoRay's exclusive GliaSite Radiation Therapy System (balloon catheter) at the University Hospital of Rostock, Germany.

Professor Juergen Piek, Chairman of the Neurosurgical Department, placed the catheters following the brain tumor resection procedure. Dr. Monique Sakretz was the nuclear doctor responsible for the liquid I-125 balloon after load of radioactive material.

Brain cancer presents unique treatment challenges. Brain tumors are very often difficult to remove completely because of the need to avoid damaging the brain. Further, tumors tend to spread to healthy parts of the brain. Typically, surgeons remove as much as they can of the tumor and then treat the areas surrounding where the tumor was removed with radiation therapy. They sometimes use chemotherapy as well. However, most cancerous brain tumors reoccur shortly following removal, and the cancer tends to return near the site of the original tumor. Brain cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers and recurrence often proves fatal.

The GliaSite system offers a number of advantages in glioblastoma and metastatic brain cancer treatment. It places a specified high dose of a liquid radiation source in the areas most likely to contain cancer after brain tumor removal and is less likely to damage healthy brain tissue than other treatments. It helps reduce the ability for the tumor to reoccur, which in turn impacts patient longevity and quality of life.

source: MarketWire