Finding The Prostate Cancer Treatment That Works For You
Do you want to select a prostate cancer treatment based on convenience or cure rates?
You should also ask your radiation oncologist if this treatment method will eliminate prostate cancer cells around the prostate that may have escaped through microscopic capsule penetration.
If you have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, its critical to personally research prostate cancer treatment options to make an informed decision that is best for you and your family. With few exceptions, your first treatment generally gives you the best chance for success.
Sore Skin In The Treatment Area
Your skin in the treatment area might get sore, or redden or darken. Following these tips can help with this:
- Wear loose fitting underwear and clothes. Natural fibres can be more comfortable than man-made fibres.
- Gently wash the area each day. Use mild, unperfumed soap and warm or cool water. Try baby soap or liquid baby wash but check with the radiotherapy staff first.
- Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Rubbing the skin can make it sore.
- Don’t use perfumed lotions on the area. Use only creams or dressings recommended by your specialist or radiographer.
- Don’t use talcum powder because it can contain tiny metal particles. The particles can make the soreness worse.
Hdr Brachytherapy: What It Is
This technology does away with entrance and exit doses because the radiation is released after a pellet is placed inside of, or very near to, the prostate cancer mass. This is why this form of treatment is often called seed.
HDR brachytherapy is tightly focused on tumors to minimize serious side effects, says the CTCA site.
Exposure of radiation to the surrounding benign tissue is minimized, while the maximum dose is delivered to malignant cells.
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Are There Cyberknife Patient Organizations I Can Contact For More Information
The CyberKnife Patient Support Group, is a non-profit organization established in July 2001 and dedicated to helping others by sharing the personal experiences of patients who have undergone CyberKnife procedure. Note that the group has moved to a new home that has been redesigned and updated with new information and functionality. All of the old posts are also available in the new Patient Forum under Archived Posts. Please visit to see whats new!
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What You Need To Know About The Prostate Long
A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.
While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.
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What Is A Cyberknife
The first thing prostate cancer patients should know about ground-breaking CyberKnife Radiotherapy Treatment, is that it doesnt involve a knife or any surgical procedure. Patients rest on a manoeuvrable seat or table each fifteen seconds their x-rays are taken, as a robotic arm manoeuvres around them, accurately delivering beams of radiotherapy from numerous angles.
Traditionally, radiotherapy treatments allow for a small margin of error this is due to basic inaccuracies or unavoidable movements of the prostate or patient. The CyberKnife vastly reduces this margin of error, bringing it down from between five and fifteen millimetres to just two or less with this high level of precision.
Protecting Healthy Tissue Protecting Quality Of Life
Despite the higher dose rate associated with SBRT, multiple studies have validated that there are no worse side effects with CyberKnife SBRT than with traditional radiation.1 Unlike any other radiation treatment, the CyberKnife System continually tracks the target and automatically adapts the radiation beam for movement of the prostate in real-time throughout the entire treatment session. With this automatic motion tracking and synchronization, the CyberKnife System enhances your treatment teams ability to maximize the radiation dose delivered to the target, while minimizing dose to surrounding healthy tissues to reduce negative side-effects on urinary, bowel, and sexual function that can impact a patients quality of life. The majority of patients can continue normal activity during and immediately after treatment.
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Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Depending on the stage of the prostate cancer and other factors, radiation therapy might be used:
- As the first treatment for cancer that is still just in the prostate gland and is low grade. Cure rates for men with these types of cancers are about the same as those for men treated with radical prostatectomy.
- As part of the first treatment for cancers that have grown outside the prostate gland and into nearby tissues.
- If the cancer is not removed completely or comes back in the area of the prostate after surgery.
- If the cancer is advanced, to help keep the cancer under control for as long as possible and to help prevent or relieve symptoms.
What Happens During The Procedure
Youll be placed in the proper position on a table. Then, a computer-controlled robot will move slowly around the table, targeting radiation where its needed. The software will adjust radiation for your breathing pattern and any movement of the tumor.
This is a noninvasive, painless procedure. Each session will last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Once its over, you should be able to get up and resume your normal activities right away.
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What Is Proton Therapy
Both CyberKnife and Proton are forms of radiation , however, CyberKnife has many advantages over proton beam radiation as a prostate cancer treatment. CyberKnife is the most advanced treatment available, using image-guided robotics to destroy prostate cancer while preserving the surrounding tissue.
Proton Therapy is a type of particle therapy in which high-energy proton beams are delivered to tumors by a cyclotron. With Proton Therapy, doctors determine the precise point in a patients body where the proton releases the majority of its energy, maximizing exposure to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to normal tissue. Proton Therapy is usually delivered in 20-25 treatments with typical out-patient sessions lasting less than 5 minutes. Side effects such as fatigue are usually minor and temporary.
Proton beam therapy utilizes lower doses of radiation, so more treatments are required. These treatments use conventional fractionation with small doses given daily over a four to six week period.
The chart shows the differences between CyberKnife and Proton Therapy treatments. As you can see, CyberKnife Therapy is completed in fewer sessions with better accuracy and the CyberKnife is the only technology where there is continuous correction during treatment while the prostate moves and the patient breathes normally.
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Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer Using Cyberknife
CyberKnife is cutting-edge radiation technology also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy or SBRT, according to the experts at CyberKnife Miami. It destroys prostate cancer with pinpoint accuracy leaving the surrounding healthy tissue virtually unharmed.
CyberKnife is an alternative radiation treatment for prostate cancer, with few, if any side effects.
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Why Use Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer
Cyberknife is a good option for prostate cancer because:
- Treatment is convenient and complete in fewer fractions 5 compared to 44 fractions in traditional radiation.
- It spares more normal tissue.
- It is more accurate than traditional radiation.
- There are fewer side effects.
- Treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure.
In addition, prostate cancer is a slower-growing tumor. Because prostate cancer cells are growing slowly, they may be more sensitive to higher doses of radiation per fraction than other cancers. This means that delivering radiation in larger doses in fewer treatment sessions may improve outcomes.
Will My Diet Affect My Treatment
Yes. Good nutrition is an important part of recovering from the side effects of radiation therapy. When you are eating well, you have the energy to do the activities you want to do, and your body is able to heal and fight infection. Most important, good nutrition can give you a sense of well-being.
Since eating when you donât feel well can be difficult, consider working with a dietitian. They can help make sure that you are getting adequate nutrition during your radiation therapy.
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Side Effects Of Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer Patients
Cyberknife is considered a minimally invasive procedure. While there are some side effects, most patients only experience them for a short time, and they are minimal. However, some patients experience severe side effects in the rectum or bladder wall. Some of the side effects include:
-
Erectile Dysfunction
You may return to normal activities, but your doctor may minimize some physical activity on a case-by-case basis.
What Is Different About The Cyberknife
The key difference is the degree of accuracy achieved by the CyberKnife, as a result of x-rays being taken every 15 seconds. For prostate cancer patients, this is important because the prostate moves internally, even when the patient remains absolutely still.
The imaging we have from treatment so far has shown exactly how much the prostate can move without any external signs of movement, such as when gas passes through the rectum or as the bladder fills, says Dr El-Modir
When using traditional radiotherapy , oncologists plan treatments using margins of 515mm, to allow for natural movement and slight inaccuracy. The margins with CyberKnife are much smaller: just 02mm. Because of this confidence in accuracy, the CyberKnife can safely deliver much higher doses of radiotherapy in each session. This very high dose, delivered with such precision, is known medically as stereotactic therapy. With the CyberKnife the number of treatment sessions is just five, compared with 37 required for standard prostate cancer radiotherapy.
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What Is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy And What Advantages Does It Offer
Traditionally, we deliver external beam radiation in 45 to 48 sessions over a span of ten weeks, using very sophisticated computer-based planning and enhanced imaging techniques and tumor tracking during the treatment. This is called image-guided IMRT and it is the current standard of care.
But there is increasing interest in giving this radiation in shorter courses of treatment. Many of the people we care for have a type of radiation therapy called MSK PreciseTM. MSK Precise is a form of SBRT that can be given in five sessions instead of the usual 45 to 50. MSK has been doing this for the past nine years, and the results in the several hundred people whove been treated have been excellent so far. The treatment is very well tolerated, with outcomes that are at least equivalent to and possibly better than the standard ten weeks of treatment. Because of its superior precision, MSK Precise has less side effects than more conventional radiation techniques, with extremely low rates of incontinence and rectal problems. The sexual side effects are low and similar to what is experienced with conventional external radiation techniques. And of course, its much more convenient for patients.
For patients with more-advanced tumors, we are completing a phase II trial in which were combining sophisticated brachytherapy approaches with MSK Precise. This kind of combination of dose-intense or escalated radiation may end up being a very effective regimen.
After Treatment And Follow
There are minimal side effects from CyberKnife treatment. The most common side effect is fatigue. Most of the time, patients are able to go back to their usual activities but will need someone to drive them home immediately after treatment. Members of our CyberKnife team can help you to arrange alternate transportation plans if needed.
You will return soon after your treatment for a follow-up visit with the doctors. Several months after treatment, you will see the doctors and have follow-up scans to check your response to the treatment. Follow-up imaging, generally performed with a combination of CT, MRI or PET scanning, is usually performed in the months following treatment to assess the tumors response to the delivered radiation.
Cyberknife, ChristianaCare Helen F. Graham Cancer Center4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713 directions302-623-4836
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Where Could Mrgrt Take Us In Prostate Cancer
MRgRT is currently more resource intensive to deliver compared with standard radiotherapy. In an arena where there are multiple effective ways to irradiate a prostate , MRgRT will have to prove its worth. Hence research is needed to both prove the added value of this technology in prostate cancer and to streamline processes to reduce treatment times and workforce requirements.
At the most practical level, the ability to dispense with CT, and have a MR-only workflow to produce a complete plan, from contouring to checking, in minutes, paves the way for a paradigm shift in our departmental structures. Patients could be scanned, contoured and planned, all while waiting on the bed. With session times of around 45min at present, and scope to reduce this, a streamlined workflow could eliminate patient waits for planning and protracted radiotherapy planning pathways.
The ultimate question asks whether we can reduce fraction number below five, even to a single treatment? This has been done by several groups with HDR brachytherapy, mostly treating to 19 or 20Gy , , although recent reports have shown disappointing biochemical control rates . Early clinical testing is in process to establish whether similar doses can be given with external beam radiotherapy . However, the more accurate IGRT, intra-beam monitoring and the ability to rapidly produce a plan corresponding to the anatomy of the moment, would make MRgRT the optimal way to test this.
How Do You Prepare For Cyberknife
Youll need to go through a few steps before treatment can begin.
With ultrasound as a guide, a urologist will use long needles to place gold markers in your prostate. This will be similar to when you had your biopsy. CyberKnife will use the markers to track the tumor during treatment.
Then youll need some imaging tests to assess the location, size, and shape of the tumor. This data is sent to the CyberKnife software, so the proper dose, exact location, and number of treatments can be determined.
Your doctor will fill you in on details before you begin so you can plan accordingly.
Youll likely need one to five treatments on consecutive days. This can all be accomplished on an outpatient basis.
Theres no need for anesthesia or other medications, so you can eat and take medications as usual. Avoid lotions and powders on the area to be treated, and wear comfortable clothing. No further preparation is needed.
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Prostate Cancer Causes & Symptoms
Unfortunately, the exact cause of prostate cancer is not always known. Some recent discoveries have linked prostate cancer to changes in DNA and also to high levels of certain male hormones.
Prostate cancer is not, however, linked to an enlarged prostate gland, a condition also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy. An enlarged prostate gland is not cancer and does not cause cancer.
The symptoms of prostate cancer are also the same type of symptoms shared by many non-cancerous conditions. Therefore, it is very important to have a doctor determine the source of the problem for men who experience changes in their urinary functions.
It is also possible to have prostate cancer and not have prostate cancer symptoms.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms may include:
- Problems with urination
Side Effects Of Cyberknife Cancer Treatment For Prostate Cancer
Theres no cutting, incision, blood, anesthesia, pain, or catheters. There are few, if any, side effects and no recovery time.
CyberKnifes robotic missile-guided image technology allows us to achieve a high level of accuracy by pinpointing a tumors exact location throughout the treatment, resulting in successful outcomes.
The CyberKnife treatment is completely pain free. Patients dress comfortably in their own clothes and can bring music to listen to during the treatment.
Nothing will be required of the patient during the treatment, except to relax. In fact, patients often sleep through the treatment.
There are generally only minimal side effects from CyberKnife treatments, which may include fatigue, urinary irritation, and sometimes rectal irritation. These side effects can be controlled with medication and usually last only a few weeks.
After completing the CyberKnife treatment, patients will schedule follow-up appointments. The urologist will follow your PSA results, which will decrease over time.
Response to treatment varies from patient to patient. Clinical experience has shown that most patients respond very well to CyberKnife treatments with cure rates of over 97% for more than a decade.
I had absolutely no side effects from CyberKnife therapy and it didnt slow me down at all
Don Real Patient
If you have prostate cancer and would like to find out if you are a candidate for CyberKnife, today at .
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What Types Of Cancer Are Treated By Cyberknife
CyberKnife is a stereotactic radiosurgery machine used in cancer treatment. It can be used for primary cancers or metastatic cancers. A primary tumor means a tumor belonging to the organ or tissue itself. It arises from the organ or tissues cells. On the other hand, a secondary tumor is a tumor formed by the spread of cancer cells in a part of the body to other parts. CyberKnife treatment is used in both malign and benign cancer types. Also, if a treated cancer comes back , radiation oncologists may apply Cyberknife treatment. This technology may be beneficial in destroying some tumor types in the brain, lungs, prostate, liver, pancreas, kidneys, breast, ovarian, spine, spinal cord and head and neck. CyberKnife may provide better outcomes for localized tumors and patients with a limited number of metastases.
The brain is one of the main areas in which CyberKnife is used. Different types of brain tumors such as astrocytomas, gliomas, skull-base tumors, meningiomas, schwannomas, pituitary adenomas, and brain metastases could be treated with this technology. According to tumor size, location and type, physicians decide whether to apply CyberKnife treatment or not. Acbadem brain tumor boards meet to evaluate patients and decide which treatment would benefit the patients more.