ORANGE COUNTY BRIEFLY : Cancer Treatment Boosts Endocare Stock

Endocare Inc. shares moved up to a 52-week high Friday after the Irvine-based company said the growth of its Cryocare System prostate cancer treatment has exceeded its expectations. The company said it has installed 50 systems, a 100% increase in the past 90 days. The shares hit $8.25 during the trading session before closing at $7.81, up 63 cents. The stock traded as low as $1.63 a share last December. Endocare attributed the treatment system’s growth to Medicare coverage for targeted prostate cryosurgery. The Cryocare System freezes and destroys cancerous prostate tissue.