“Will I ever be able to have sex again?”
That is one of the first questions men ask their doctors after finding out they have prostate cancer and need treatment for it.
It is understandably a big concern because the most common complaint for eight out of ten men after prostate cancer treatment is erectile dysfunction.
But here’s the reality according to Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of the CyberKnife Center of Miami: “Having prostate cancer treatment doesn’t mean your sex life is over, especially if you choose targeted radiation therapy like CyberKnife because it kills tumors with pin-point accuracy while leaving vital healthy nerves surrounding the penis unharmed, greatly reducing the risk of ED and incontinence.”
And the incidence of impotence is lower with CyberKnife than with surgery, Dr. Pomper says on CyberKnife’s YouTube channel.
So, what exactly is CyberKnife?
CyberKnife is cutting-edge radiation technology also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT. It can kill prostate tumors with precise, pinpointed accuracy, and it leaves the surrounding healthy tissue unharmed.
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Sexual Dysfunction
According to WebMD the reason there’s a strong correlation between sexual function and prostate cancer is because the prostate is right near vital nerves, blood vessels and muscles that help a man achieve an erection.
Prostate cancer treatments – like surgery and some forms of radiation damage the nerves making erections more difficult.
CyberKnife is different.
The radiation from CyberKnife focuses directly on the prostate with less risk of harming healthy tissue. So, there is a reduced risk of impotence and urinary incontinence. And sexual function remains the same for most patients after treatment.
“There’s a general thought among surgeons that surgery is better for men under age 60 because radiation’s long-term effects may cause problems years later, like impotence and incontinence, but that’s not what research is proving,” says Dr. Pomper. “Surgery has long term effects too. CyberKnife has few side effects. Its pinpoint radiation beams hit only the prostate, so we can give a much higher dose with a lot fewer treatments, leaving healthy surrounding tissue unharmed.”
CyberKnife From Prostate Cancer Patients’ Perspectives
CyberKnife Miami patients agree with Dr. Pomper. While they were treated with CyberKnife, their lifestyles remained relatively unchanged.
“After watching my two brothers suffer tough side effects following prostate cancer surgery, I didn’t want to risk it and instead chose a non-invasive treatment, CyberKnife Radiation Therapy,” said Antonio, one of CyberKnife Miami’s patients. “I had five treatments over 10 days at the CyberKnife Center of Miami. I had no bad side effects and went right back to work after each session. It was so simple and easy. Easier than I even thought was possible.”
“When I talked to other guys, I heard horror stories. Doctors took out their prostate or they had conventional radiation treatments and now they can’t hold their urine or get erections. There was no way I was going to have my prostate taken out and with standard radiation, treatment would take over two months. CyberKnife is a better way to go,” says Joe, another CyberKnife Miami patient.
“It has been nine years since my treatments. I am cancer-free and have no complaints. I wish more men knew about CyberKnife. Do not just do what your doctor tells you, do your homework, learn all your treatment options,” Joe continued.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Miami
CyberKnife treatments can be done in five sessions over 10 days instead of 42 over three months with other types of radiation treatments. And success rates are up to 98% — especially when the cancer is caught early.
Side effects of CyberKnife may include tiredness, and urinary and rectal irritation. Over the counter medication can help minimize these, and the symptoms usually go away in a few weeks. And there is no risk of infection like there is with surgery. There is also a lower risk of toxicity than with traditional radiation.
At CyberKnife Miami, we have treated hundreds of prostate cancer patients in the South Florida area and around the world.
Cancer patients come to us from everywhere because we are among the most experienced in this field of medicine.
Doctors and oncologists often refer patients to us, including their toughest cases because of our vast experience. We know what can and cannot be done.
When it comes to choosing a cancer treatment center, you want to pick a center like CyberKnife Miami with a proven track record of success.If you would like to find out more about prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife, call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our prostate cancer website now for more information www.prostatecancertreatmentmiami.com.