From HealthNewsDigest.com

Cancer Issues
Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer
By
Feb 8, 2016 - 11:13:18 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Being diagnosed with prostate cancer often feels devastating to patients and their families. But when caught early, today's advanced and innovative treatments make the likelihood of a full recovery better today than at any time in the past.

"Two things are important here - early detection and knowing your options," said Dr. Deepak Kapoor, President of Advanced Urology Centers of NY (AUCNY), a division of Integrated Medical Professionals, PLLC (IMP). "We strongly believe in an individualized approach to prostate cancer screening. The newest ways of interpreting PSA (prostate-specific antigen), combined with actuarial risk analysis, have led to nuanced screening algorithms. If a prostate cancer diagnosis is made, all treatment options will be discussed with the patient and their loved ones."

After receiving a confirmed positive diagnosis, and finding so many pieces of unreliable information on the Internet and radio waves, the next (and most important) step is having a thorough discussion with your diagnosing Urologist and Radiation Oncologist. These doctors can discuss surgical and radiation options that are most appropriate for your individual case.

Given the typically equal cure rates between surgery and radiation, many patients choose the less-invasive alternatives of radiation therapy. The two most common and appropriate forms of radiation used to treat prostate cancer are Prostate Brachytherapy (or "seed implants") and External Beam Radiation Therapy (using the latest technologies such as Image Guided Radiation or IGRT, and Volumetric Modulated Radiation, or VMAT).

"Radiation therapy is a precise method of targeting the tumor using non-invasive high-energy radiation beams that are able to minimize dose and exposure to the healthy organs," said Dr. Shawn Zimberg, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Advanced Radiation Centers (ARC), also a division of IMP. "With today's technologies, radiation is delivered with the highest degree of accuracy; the treatment side effects are significantly reduced."

When caught early, many Radiation Oncologists suggest External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT), which uses a beam or several beams to deliver intense x-rays to a tumor. This treatment occurs roughly five days a week for approximately nine weeks.

Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy (VMAT) is the highest level of external radiation delivery, surpassing the now common Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), due to its accuracy, and delivery efficiency.  VMAT, also known as RapidArc Rotational Therapy, allows the Radiation Oncology team to deliver higher dosages of radiation to a more focused and concentrated area. 


VMAT Therapy is a form of External Beam Radiation, which combines several technologies including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), On Board Imaging (OBI) and Cone Beam CT Scanning (CBCT), within a single treatment and significantly reduces treatment times and radiation exposure for the patient.

In collaboration with VMAT as the delivery technology, Image Guided Radiation therapy (IGRT) uses images to guide a computer during an EBRT session. The doctor uses scanned images of the affected area to modify the locations of the targeted beams. "What is essentially a high-accuracy laser scope, IGRT provides us with the ability to target the affected areas with precise dosages of radiation in a quick and safe manner," added Dr. Zimberg.

So with precision from the IGRT targeting, using VMAT, the Radiation Oncologist has the ability to shape the beams for a highly precise aim to the delineated 3-dimensional target within the body. Often, the targeting IGRT technology will use small gold markers, or fiducials, within the prostate to monitor and "lock-on" to the prostate or prostate bed due to the movement of anatomy when the bladder or rectum are full or empty. This level of targeting precision provides an unprecedented ability to decrease or even eliminate high dose radiation exposure to surrounding and unaffected tissue.

"We were the first on the East Coast to incorporate RapidArc technology into treatment plans for our patients," said Dr. Zimberg. "We have seen first-hand how sophisticated and effective this radiation treatment is. The results are amazing."

Another common radiation treatment for prostate cancer is Prostate Brachytherapy, or Seed Implantation, which is specifically for patients with localized prostate cancer.

During Prostate Brachytherapy, small radiation-emitting seeds are placed into the prostate during an outpatient procedure with "light" anesthesia, usually in the office setting. The seeds give off radiation for the next several months, without the need for the patient to come to the office for daily treatments as in the case of external beam radiation. "The latest technologic advance in seed implantation is Intraoperative Dosimetry," stated Dr. Zimberg. "This is a method whereby a computer is used to monitor the real-time seed-by-seed implantation process and carefully build the dose to ensure not only a consistent or homogeneous coverage of the prostate with radiation, but simultaneously keep the dose to the normal tissues including the urethra, to historically low levels." 

Prostate seed implants are highly effective, but may have increased temporary side effects such as urinary bother, compared to newer external beam technologies such as VMAT and IGRT.

"The state-of-the-art technologies employed at ARC and other centers of excellence have significantly reduced long-term complications while killing cancer cells deep within the body," said Dr. Zimberg. "Sometimes side effects may occur. Following completion of therapy, the patients are monitored by their Urologist and Radiation Oncologist in a team approach - to document the success of therapy in eradicating the cancer, and also to ensure that any complications are caught early and appropriately treated."

Dr. Kapoor agrees.  He said, "The physicians of Integrated Medical Professionals believe in providing patients with the highest level of advanced medical therapies, and when diagnosed with prostate cancer, discussing all of the appropriate treatment options with experts in each discipline is vital. Together, with the patient, their family, and physician team, we are able to arrive at the right plan for each individual. With this multi-disciplinary approach, patients are able to experience less stress, and have a more informed team involved in their care."

For more details on treatment options available, please visit:http://www.advancedradiationcenters.com/cancers/prostate-cancer/

About Advanced Radiation Centers of New York

Advanced Radiation Centers of New York (ARC), a division of Integrated Medical Professionals, PLLC, is a leader in Radiation Oncology technology, treatment and delivery within the Metropolitan New York region. ARC is the largest freestanding Radiation Oncology practice in New York State. ARC has six facilities across the region, providing state-of-the-art technology with the highest level of experience and compassionate care in the suburban New York community.  The radiation oncologists of Advanced Radiation Centers treat more cancer patients than any other private physician practice and most hospitals in the region.

About Advanced Urology Centers of New York

Advanced Urology Centers of New York (AUCNY), a division of Integrated Medical Professionals, is comprised of community physicians committed to providing the highest level of medical service and patient care available. With more than 45 locations in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Manhattan, Westchester, Rockland County and The Bronx, AUCNY is the largest urology group practice in the United States, and leading regional provider of urology services. AUCNY physicians represent some of the country's top urologists, many of whom are active in clinical and academic research, participate in postgraduate medical education and lecture internationally on cutting edge breakthroughs in medicine. AUCNY urologists are on staff in most hospitals in the New York Metro region and participate in most insurance plans, including Medicare.http://www.aucofny.com


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