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More than 200,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, this cancer is often very treatable in cancer centers that offer advanced surgical and nonsurgical options, such as CyberKnife®.
Despite what the name may suggest, CyberKnife is a form of advanced radiation therapy that doesn’t require going under the knife or an incision of any kind. It’s a great option for men with early-stage or localized prostate cancer, as well as men who may not be eligible for surgery or have tumors that are complex or hard-to-reach with surgery. Read on to learn why its numerous benefits make it one of the best prostate cancer treatment options for many men.
What is CyberKnife radiation therapy?
CyberKnife is an advanced form of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that delivers highly targeted radiation to the prostate. This radiation device uses a robotic arm that tracks even the slightest movement of the prostate to ensure radiation is delivered only to the prostate, sparing nearby tissues and organs like the bladder and rectum. As a result, most men experience virtually no side effects.
What are the benefits of CyberKnife compared to traditional radiation and surgery?
CyberKnife is considered to be an effective radiation treatment option for prostate cancer because of its ability to deliver highly concentrated doses of radiation, offering a better chance for a cure. CyberKnife is an exceptional treatment option because of the following advantages:
Convenience: Unlike traditional radiation that’s given in 40 sessions over eight to nine weeks, CyberKnife can treat prostate cancer in just five visits. Because fewer treatments are required, men spend less time traveling to appointments and more time living their daily lives working, spending time with family, and doing the activities they enjoy without disrupting their active schedules.
Faster recovery: CyberKnife recovery is also fast, as the therapy requires no anesthesia or hospitalization, unlike surgery. The entire treatment takes about 30 minutes. You will be able to get back to your daily activities and routine without delay.
Fewer side effects: Because we can visualize the anatomical structure of your prostate and surrounding organs, we can precisely plan submillimeter radiation delivery to the prostate using smaller margins that protect the adjacent bladder and rectum. Less impact to these nearby organs ensures fewer side effects than other radiation therapies. For example, a European study compared CyberKnife to other SBRT treatment machines and found that urinary side effects were 50% less than other linear accelerators.
The type of prostate cancer treatment that will be best for you may be different than what’s right for someone else. That’s why it’s always important to have thorough conversations with your doctors about the advantages and disadvantages of your options. There are different considerations depending on your age, lifestyle, and goals, and we take the time to make sure you feel equipped to make the best possible decision for yourself and your family. Whatever you decide, we’ll support and guide you through the rest of your journey.
How does CyberKnife work?
Planning is critical to the treatment. Prior to your first treatment, your urologist or radiation oncologist will place gold markers the size of rice into the prostate. Your team will use MRI and CT scans to visualize the prostate and surrounding structures so they can plan how much radiation to deliver and where.
CyberKnife relies on this image guidance and computer-controlled robotics to administer high, concentrated doses of radiation to the areas that have cancer while avoiding or limiting radiation exposure to the urethra, bladder, rectum, and other organs responsible for continence, bowel control, and sexual function.
Effective treatment in less time, with minimal impact on your active life.
Our team at MedStar Health is one of the most experienced teams in the world. Our team has treated thousands of patients, increasing their chance for a cure while preserving their quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you can count on our team of experts at MedStar Health to help you understand your best treatment options. No matter your circumstance, CyberKnife is something worth exploring so you can make the best possible decision for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Locations:
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9103 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21237
Hours of operation, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd., NW
Washington, DC 20007
Hours of operation, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
