“I have always had a zest for life and always will,” says Paul Stampahar.
For 40 years Paul was your classic friendly neighborhood mailman delivering mail throughout South Florida. If you were lucky enough to be on his route, you knew him personally, loved him and his bigger than life, perpetually happy personality.
Throughout his career Paul was the consummate professional who always went above and beyond to make sure you got your mail, and on time, which is why when he retired neighborhood residents threw him a big party.
Now, 72 years young, Paul says he was, yet wasn’t surprised to learn he had prostate cancer. It doesn’t run in his family but says he knew it could happen.
“I’m a realist. People think it can’t happen to them, but I’m not like that. I was shocked because I take my health seriously. I’m in good shape, and I had no symptoms whatsoever. I thought I would’ve felt a first symptom, like discomfort or pain. I never woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, even after having a beer before bedtime.”
During one of Paul’s bi-annual medical exams he learned his PSA level was elevated. A biopsy confirmed prostate cancer. Paul’s Gleason Score was 6 and quickly jumped to 7, which means his prostate cancer is generally more aggressive.
Paul says, “It didn’t scare me, I just said hopefully modern medicine can help me out.”
Paul’s urologist, Dr. Craig Herman recommended cutting edge technology to treat his prostate cancer called CyberKnife radiation therapy, also known as SBRT, or Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.
“Dr. Herman told me CyberKnife radiation therapy was the best treatment option for me and recommended I go to the CyberKnife Center of Miami because they’re the most experienced. Now, a lot of people would get a second opinion, but I really trust my doctor so I took his advice, and am I glad I did.”
Paul adds, “That CyberKnife machine looks like something from outer space. It’s amazing when it moves around you. During the treatment I’d close my eyes and nod off. The music was so soothing.” (He laughs)
CyberKnife for prostate cancer treatment is a non-invasive, robotic radiotherapy system that delivers high-dose radiation with extreme precision to tumors in 5 treatment sessions, usually over 10 days. It’s a non-surgical, painless alternative, with missile guided technology that tracks prostate movement in real-time, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, greatly reducing side effects like incontinence and impotence.
CyberKnife Miami’s medical director, board certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Mark Pomper says, “Paul was an excellent candidate for CyberKnife. While he had no symptoms his PSA was elevated and his Gleason score jumped up fast, indicating the cancer was becoming more aggressive, however scans showed the cancer was still localized. If it had spread we’d do a combination of treatments, that would have included CyberKnife.”
Paul says, “With CyberKnife, I liked that it was painless, and it really was, I felt nothing. That the risk of side effects were much lower, and I had none whatsoever, plus I only needed 5 treatment sessions instead of 42 with other types of radiation, so my cancer treatment would be over in a couple of weeks instead of months. It was a no-brainer.”
Paul has finished his CyberKnife prostate cancer treatment, and talks about his experience at CyberKnife Miami.
“So many times good service is taken for granted, but not me. The whole team is very knowledgeable, and so kind and generous with their time. They answer all your questions. They’re great people. I was so impressed every time I went there. Mario Tobon the radiation therapist was touched by my words of appreciation, He patted his chest and said that was awful nice of you to say.”
“Dr. Pomper is phenomenal. I told him more doctors need your bedside manner, you comfort people, should be proud of how you treat people.”
“And Maria Kristina Borgen, the center’s manger is so helpful every time you need something. Two of my appointments had to be rescheduled and she said, let’s figure out what’s best for you. You don’t often get that at a medical center or a doctors office.”
CyberKnife Miami was among the first CyberKnife centers to open worldwide. The team is one of the most experienced, which can make a big difference in a patient’s outcome. It’s high success rates treating cancer is why patients come to South Florida from all over the world to get treated.
As for Paul’s prognosis, Dr. Pomper says, “It’s excellent. He has a very high chance of a cure.”
Paul is in his 12th year of retirement but he hasn’t slowed down and has no intention of doing so. He’s says, “I worked hard for this gray hair, and I’m about to celebrate my 50th Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale. I love talking to all the tourists, young and old who come here from all over to hit our beautiful South Florida beaches. They are all so interesting.” He adds, “It’s fun having fun. I grew old, but I never grew up. I just love life.”
CyberKnife is considered a primary and highly effective treatment for low and intermediate-risk disease, but is being used for more advanced cases too.
For low-risk patients the 12 year disease free survival rates are as high as 95%.
For cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland or involves multiple large tumors, doctors may recommend combining CyberKnife treatments with conventional external beam radiation, hormone therapy, or surgery.
For recurrent prostate cancer CyberKnife can be a viable option to treat prostate cancer that has returned after initial treatment, including after surgery or prior radiation, targeting specific recurrent tumors or bone pain from metastases.
Doctors consider several factors when determining if CyberKnife is the right choice for a patient, including:
The stage and aggressiveness of the cancer (Gleason score, PSA level)
Whether the cancer is localized (confined to the prostate)
Prostate size
Overall patient health, age, and lifestyle
Patient preference and goals like avoiding surgery, and fewer treatment sessions
It is important to discuss all available treatment options with a multidisciplinary medical team to determine the best plan for your specific diagnosis.
If you would like more information, want to set up a consultation, or get a second opinion, call the CyberKnife Center of Miami at 305-279-2900 and go to our website now www.prostatecancertreatmentmiami.com