Seeing a doctor on a regular basis is important, even if you feel well and have no pressing health concerns. Bruce Rose understands this fully. In 2016, a routine screening conducted by his primary care physician showed that his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) number was elevated. A biopsy was conducted and confirmed that Bruce had Stage 1 prostate cancer. Together, he, his wife Denise, and his doctor decided the best course of action was simply surveillance—being as the cancer had been detected in its earliest stages and was not life threatening.
Like clockwork, Bruce scheduled appointments with his doctor every three months. Each visit included a physical exam and blood work, and every nine to 12 months, another biopsy was performed. The purpose and goal were clear: monitor his health closely and carefully, and act quickly if there was any sign of disease progression. Eight years later, in September 2024, the results of Bruce’s routine testing did present a red flag. His PSA number had spiked, and it was clear that he needed to see an oncologist.
“I spent a lot of time researching to understand my options and the kinds of treatments that might be best for me,” said Bruce. “My doctor thought I could be a good candidate for CyberKnife, and suggested that I see Dr. Stephen Ronson, a radiation oncologist at MedStar Health.”
Bruce knew he had found the right doctor, almost immediately, when he met with Dr. Ronson.
“Dr. Ronson was so knowledgeable and he took the time to walk through and explain all of the treatment options I had learned about through my own research, literally from A to Z,” said Bruce. “He was very focused on building a treatment plan that could be built and customized for me, and I trusted him. For many reasons, we decided to pursue radiation using CyberKnife.”
CyberKnife is a form of radiation therapy that points high doses of radiation directly at a cancerous tumor, while avoiding surrounding tissue and organs of the body that are healthy. It is often used to treat patients with tumors located in areas of the body that are difficult to reach. The amount of time required of the patient, to undergo radiation therapy using CyberKnife, is another significant benefit.
“Most patients who receive radiation using CyberKnife can complete their treatment plan in just five sessions, opposed to other forms of radiation that can require 20 to 30 visits, and sometimes even more,” said Stephen Ronson, MD, who serves as medical director of radiation oncology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. “There is no incision required, no blood loss as a result of treatment, no pain or side effects, and no recovery period.”
CyberKnife is available at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center—not far from the Rose’s home in Harford County. Bruce’s plan called for five sessions, conducted every other day. Dr. Ronson and the MedStar Health team provided a lot of information about what to expect and how to prepare. They also gave him confidence that the care he was receiving would produce the results he longed for … to become cancer free.
“The procedure lasted for about 20 minutes each time, and I felt no pain,” said Bruce. “It was actually relaxing. They let me pick out what music I wanted to listen to, and made sure I was comfortable. I just laid on a padded table as the machine moved around my body, applying treatment.”
A PSA test conducted six months later gave Bruce the best news he could have ever hoped for: no evidence of disease. With his health now in check, Bruce is focusing on the things that matter most—spending quality time with Denise, and getting outdoors to boat, fish, and hunt.
“When I was first diagnosed, I questioned why this happened to me,” recalls Bruce. “Now I realize that my cancer diagnosis was just a little bump in the road. Life can go on, and it is. I am so grateful for the care I received.”
Click here to learn more about CyberKnife at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.