This post was written based on the appearance of Dr. Brian Chang, Radiation Oncology, Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, on the program PBS HealthLine.
In this post, we discuss how early detection and minimally invasive therapy options are helping patients diagnosed with prostate cancer receive treatment that causes fewer interruptions to their daily lives.
What is the prostate, and what does it do?
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland, located at the bottom of the pelvis. It sits next to the bladder, a reservoir that fills with urine, and in front of another organ called the rectum, which is a reservoir that fills with stool. The bladder empties through the urethra, which passes directly through the prostate to the outside world. The prostate's primary function is to produce fluid that becomes part of semen.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
In the early stages, prostate cancer doesn't typically cause symptoms. In decades prior, many patients would report experiencing more severe symptoms such as blood present in the urine or bone pain because the cancer had reached an advanced stage.
Fortunately, with the advent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, doctors can detect prostate cancer very early with a simple blood screening, when it's at its most curable and requires the least amount of treatment.
Those interested in PSA testing should discuss their personal risk factors and testing options with their primary caregiver. Health experts recommend that most men begin PSA testing at age 50. However, those who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer or who are African American may consider starting screening earlier, at age 45.
How does radiation therapy treat prostate cancer without impacting other organs?
The CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System is most frequently used as a single therapy for patients with early-stage prostate cancer confined to the prostate. It works similarly to how multiple intersecting spotlights are used to illuminate a single subject on stage during a performance in a dark auditorium.
Despite its name, the procedure does not involve a knife or surgical incisions. Instead of lights, many pencil-thin beams of radiation intersect and focus on the prostate gland. Each beam provides a small percentage of the radiation dose. The full dose is delivered only to the area where all the beams intersect, conforming to the shape of the prostate and sparing adjacent tissue.
What happens during and after treatment?
CyberKnife therapy can treat prostate cancer in five pain-free outpatient treatments, with sessions completed over one to two weeks. During the 30-minute procedure, the patient lies on a treatment table while the radiation is delivered. Most patients continue working and performing their usual activities during the treatment period.
After treatment, patients will complete basic blood work every six months. Follow-up testing helps the care team ensure the patient's PSA levels continue to decrease and that they address any changes or concerns immediately. On average, it can take 12 to 18 months for PSA to go down.
Find care
There is no way to prevent prostate cancer; however, living a healthy lifestyle can help minimize certain modifiable risk factors. These include engaging in moderate exercise, eating a balanced high-fiber diet, and avoiding smoking.
Scheduling regular appointments with your provider is a great way to establish a baseline for your health. If you need help scheduling an appointment or establishing care with a provider, our Access Center can help. Call anytime, at 877-PPG-TODAY or 877-774-8632 for assistance. If you are seeking a second opinion on a current cancer diagnosis, reach out to us here.
