prostate cancer: philadelphia cyberknife treatment overview

2010 West Chester Pike Suite 115, Havertown, PA 19083 (610) 446-‐6850 www.phillycyberknife.com

A prostate cancer diagnosis can be scary. Learn more about prostate cancer and how we can help. Please note: We encourage consumers to thoroughly review and understand all treatment op8ons. The informa8on presented here is not all-‐inclusive. Rather, it represents a star8ng point to learn more about medical condi8ons and treatment op8ons. There is no subs,tute for consul,ng a medical professional.


About Prostate Cancer


The prostate is a walnut-‐shaped organ in a man’s lower abdomen that controls the flow of urine and semen through the penis. Prostate cancer is among the leading causes of cancer death among American men, second only to lung cancer. Risk factors: There is no single cause of prostate cancer, though there are several known risk factors: •  Age – Risks generally increase for older men. •  Race – African-‐American men have a higher risk for

unknown reasons. •  NaPonality – Asian men, for example, have a lower

risk. •  Diet – Red meat and dairy products tend to

increase risk. Several studies suggest that some dietary supplements like vitamin E and lycopene may reduce risk.

•  Lack of exercise •  Family history of prostate cancer

•  Early-‐stage prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. Older men may experience frequent urinaHon, though it’s likely due to an enlarged prostate in a condiHon known as benign prostaHc hypertrophy, or BPH. Pain or bleeding is not commonly associated with early stages.

•  Prostate cancer is suspected if men have an elevated level of a substance in the bloodstream known

as prostate specific anHgen (PSA), or if they have an abnormality like a nodule found during a digital rectal examinaHon. A prostate cancer diagnosis is confirmed, however, only through biopsy.

•  Urologists usually perform biopsies as an outpaHent procedure. An ultrasound probe is used to guide

a needle that removes 10 to 12 small Hssue samples from different parts of the prostate gland. SomeHmes, addiHonal diagnosHc tests like a bone scan, CT or MRI are performed, depending on the specific diagnosis.

What are symptoms of prostate cancer?


How does CyberKnife treat prostate cancer?

Prior to stereotacHc body radiosurgery treatment with CyberKnife, small Hssue markers known as fiducials are implanted in the prostate to help the CyberKnife pinpoint the tumor locaHon throughout each treatment, so the radiaHon beams can be locked on the tumor. About a week later, paHents are fiWed with a custom body mold of soX material that they lie on during treatments. The fiYng process is painless. The treatment process includes: I.  ConsultaHon appointment II.  Pretreatment procedures III.  CyberKnife treatment IV.  Follow-‐up


ConsultaPon and Pretreatment Procedures Philadelphia CyberKnife physicians, therapists and nurses are focused on your individualized treatment plan: •  You will meet an Philadelphia CyberKnife radiaHon oncologist to decide if CyberKnife

treatment is appropriate for your diagnosis. •  Your CyberKnife team will decide which pretreatment procedures you may need to help

develop your treatment plan. These could include a CT scan, an MRI, laboratory studies or Hssue markers.

•  The data from your pretreatment procedures will be used by the CyberKnife team to

determine the exact size, shape and locaHon of your tumor.

•  This informaHon will indicate the size of the area being treated with radiaHon, the radiaHon dose and criHcal structures where radiaHon exposure should be minimized.


CyberKnife Treatment Typically treatment is completed within five sessions. On the day of your treatment: 1.  A therapist will help you onto the treatment

table and fit the body mold. PaHents are observed throughout the treatment on closed-‐circuit television, and they can pause treatment at any Hme by waving or speaking to the technicians.

2.  While the CyberKnife’s advanced tracking system accounts for movements like breathing, you’re asked to lie sHll during treatments. The system periodically takes x-‐ray images and compares them to the CT scan data to make sure the radiaHon beam is locked on the tumor.

3.  PaHents can usually return to their normal rouHnes once the treatment is complete.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION •  Treatment procedures take about 30 – 90

minutes, depending on the complexity of your tumor.

•  PaHents are asked to wear comfortable clothing during CyberKnife treatments. Jewelry is acceptable unless it is close to the area being treated.

•  Feel free to bring an iPod® or your favorite music CDs with you on the day of your treatment, and we will play them for you during the procedure.


AddiPonal Resources


Our Center Philadelphia CyberKnife established the first CyberKnife program in the greater Philadelphia area, giving our physicians the most experience treaHng paHents with this technology in our region. Our paHents have come from throughout the eastern United States, as well as numerous countries around the world, including England, India and Malaysia. Philadelphia CyberKnife is a service of Delaware County Memorial Hospital, a member of the Crozer-‐Keystone Health System. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with prostate cancer, contact Philadelphia CyberKnfie to schedule a consultaHon with our physicians to determine the best next step for your treatment needs.

Medical Director: Dr. Luther Brady Associate Medical Director: Dr. John Lamond DCMH Chief of RadiaPon Oncology: Dr. Rachelle Lanciano Chief Medical Physicist: Jun Yang, Ph.D, DABR CyberKnife Nurse Manager: Michael Good, RN Connect with us


prostate cancer: philadelphia cyberknife treatment overview

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