Why would any man undergo 42 radiation treatments for prostate cancer when CyberKnife can cure it with just 5 therapy sessions? It’s why more men choose CyberKnife, also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).
Decades of mounting research backs up CyberKnife’s 98% success rate and dozens of clinical results have been published on the safety and effectiveness of CyberKnife treatment for prostate cancer.
Standard treatment for prostate cancer usually requires 42 radiation treatments over 3 months.
But using CyberKnife technology, you only need 5 treatments, which can be completed in five or ten days. It can be done every day for to five consecutive days, or every other day over a 10 day period, which is what most patients often choose because it’s less irritating to the body resulting in less patient discomfort.
Once prostate cancer treatment is complete, most patients quickly return to their daily routines with little interruption to their normal activities.
A decade or more after treatment most patients remain cancer free and patients experienced low rates of moderate to severe toxicity ranging from 0-to-3.5% for urinary and 0-to-2% bowel toxicity during treatment.
The challenge doctors face in treating prostate tumors with radiation therapy is that the prostate moves unpredictably as air passes through the body and the bladder empties and fills. The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is able to overcome this challenge by using missile guided technology that continuously targets and follows the exact location of the prostate as it moves naturally throughout the course of the treatment.
During treatment, a patient lays still and breathes normally while the CyberKnife zeroes in on the prostate and irradiates it without harming surrounding areas. As a result, the procedure is more comfortable for patients and radiation is delivered more accurately.
Currently the CyberKnife Radiosurgery System is most frequently used by itself for patients with early stage prostate cancer confined to the prostate or in combination with another therapy, such as external beam radiation for patients with disease that extends beyond the prostate.
However, CyberKnife can even be used for stage 4 prostate cancer and has an excellent success rate. This radiation treatment is so precise that tumors often dissolve with great success, even for stage-4 patients.
Prior to the treatment, a special custom-fit body cradle will be made. The cradle is made of a soft material that molds to the patient’s body, ensuring that the patient is in the same position for each treatment session and is comfortable during the procedure. While lying in the cradle, patients will undergo a CT scan. This CT data will be used by the CyberKnife team to determine the exact size, shape and location of the prostate. An MRI scan also may be necessary to fully visualize the prostate and nearby anatomy. Once the imaging is done, the body cradle will be used during CyberKnife treatment.
For most patients, the CyberKnife treatment is a completely pain-free experience. They may dress comfortably in street clothes, and the CyberKnife center may allow patients to bring music to listen to during the treatment. Patients also may want to bring something to read or listen to during any waiting time, and have a friend or family member with them to provide support before and after treatment.
When it is time for treatment, patients will lay on their custom body cradle. The radiation therapist will ensure the body cradle is properly adjusted and that patients are appropriately positioned on the treatment couch. When patients are ready for treatment to begin, the location of the prostate will be tracked and detected. The medical team will be watching patients every step of the way as the CyberKnife tracks the patient’s prostate as it moves, and safely and precisely delivering radiation to it.
The CyberKnife System’s computer-controlled robot will move around the patient’s body to various locations from which it will deliver radiation. At each position, the robot will stop. Then, special software will determine precisely where the radiation should be delivered. Nothing will be required of the patient during the treatment, except to relax and lay as still as possible. Occasionally patients report temporary symptoms following treatment, which may include reduced urinary stream, burning with urination, more frequent urination, increase in frequency of stools, loose stools and more gas with bowel movements than usual.
Doctors will discuss all possible side effects with their patients prior to treatment. In addition, doctors may prescribe medication to control any side effects, should they occur. Most often over-the-counter medications can ease any side effects.
Response to prostate cancer treatment varies from patient to patient. At least two decades of clinical followup research shows most patients respond very well to CyberKnife treatments. CyberKnife physicians will monitor the outcome in the months and years following a patient’s treatment.
When it comes to treatment you want to go to a high-volume cancer center, such as CyberKnife Miami. Our experts have a great level of experience with prostate cancer. Our team routinely treats prostate tumors and because of our vast experience we are not afraid to take on the most difficult cases.
CyberKnife Miami can work with your primary care provider and oncologist to help you find the best treatment option.
Contact us at 305-279-2900. We provide every patient with rapid access to our cancer experts within a day, which is faster than any other cancer hospital in the nation.