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Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosis affecting men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. While every man’s risk of prostate cancer is different, nearly one in every eight men will develop it in their lifetime. When considering prostate cancer treatment, there are a variety of factors to think about. How frequently is treatment needed? How long will treatment take? What will recovery look like? How will treatment affect quality of life?
For many men with certain cases of prostate cancer, CyberKnife® Therapy is an effective and convenient treatment option, treating prostate cancer in five treatments versus 40 needed with conventional radiation. It’s an advanced type of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that offers several benefits for treating prostate cancer and can be a great alternative to surgery, or for complex, hard-to-reach tumors. In addition, CyberKnife has proven to be an excellent treatment option for all prostate cancer patients, including those who are at high risk. CyberKnife is precise, painless, and extremely targeted to treat tumors while sparing healthy, surrounding tissues.
Fewer treatments, greater quality of life.
Treatment in only five visits versus 40.
One of the major advantages of CyberKnife is that it requires only five treatment sessions rather than the 40 needed with conventional radiation therapy. The convenience of fewer treatments means men spend less time traveling to appointments. As a result, patients have more time to savor the joys of everyday life—whether that means immersing themselves in their work, cherishing moments with family, or indulging in their favorite pastimes.
No overnight hospitalization and quicker recovery times.
Despite what its name may suggest, CyberKnife is not a surgical procedure. Rather, it’s a non-invasive approach to delivering radiation therapy with remarkable precision. CyberKnife is an outpatient treatment, allowing you to return home the same day because it doesn’t require incisions or anesthesia. This is especially beneficial for patients who may not be suitable candidates for surgery due to age, health conditions, or other factors, or who may find recovery after surgery challenging.
During treatment, patients will lie on a table while the CyberKnife machine moves over their body, delivering radiation directly to the tumor site. The radiation is targeted using advanced imaging guidance and a specialized computer algorithm to determine how radiation can be sculpted and delivered to the tumor minimally invasively.
Faster and more accurate, with minimal side effects.
CyberKnife delivers high doses of radiation to tumors from more than 1,400 different possible angles. Its precise targeting minimizes radiation exposure to surrounding, healthy tissues, including critical structures such as the bladder and rectum. As a result, many men report fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy. Some data show CyberKnife to be the safer form of SBRT.
CyberKnife’s precision is enhanced with technology that tracks tumor movement, following the tumor even as patients breathe. The entire process is painless, and patients won’t feel a thing during treatment.
In addition, recent research has proven that higher doses of radiation may decrease the chance of prostate cancer recurring.
Exceptional treatment, enhanced by an experienced, multidisciplinary team.
As the first East Coast center to adopt CyberKnife for prostate cancer, our Department of Radiation Medicine at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital has an incredible depth of experience with this treatment option. Our radiation oncologists have over 23 years of experience in treating prostate cancer using CyberKnife and have treated more than 2,400 men with the disease. Our team includes experts who have lectured on and taught prostate CyberKnife to other doctors both nationally and around the world.
Combining this treatment modality with our multidisciplinary approach is critical to ensuring the best possible outcomes. Each patient’s case is evaluated by a team of specialists across a variety of disciplines to ensure all treatment options are considered. Treatment is individual, tailored to each patient’s unique diagnosis, preferences, and goals. We’re dedicated to helping our patients weigh the pros and cons of all of their options so they can make the best decisions for their care.
As a fully integrated program, we’re equipped with the latest versions of available therapies, all conveniently under one roof. Guided by the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis—care for the whole person—our team personalizes treatment to meet each patient’s individual needs, promoting optimal outcomes and quality of life. If CyberKnife isn’t the best treatment option, our patients have access to a full suite of other radiation therapies, including:
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Proton beam therapy
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Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
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Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
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RapidArc (VMAT)
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Brachytherapy
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Conventional radiation
Through our research engine, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C., region, we also offer access to breakthrough treatments and clinical trials for prostate cancer. Our team has nearly two decades of experience treating prostate cancer with CyberKnife, and we plan to change the future of CyberKnife to make it more effective and safer for patients with new clinical trials offered by our cancer center.
Overall, CyberKnife therapy offers a convenient and effective treatment option, allowing patients to maintain their quality of life while receiving necessary treatment. Talk to our radiation oncologists today to learn more about the best approach for treating your cancer.
