PROSTATE CANCER OPTIONS
OBSERVATION
CRYOSURGERY
RADIATION THERAPY
PROTON THERAPY
DAVINCI ROBOTIC PROSTATECTOMY
 
 

Radiation therapy is not an aftersight at JPC, rather around 60% of patients choose this option for their cancer.  The reason is a nationally recognized radiation program with our partnership with the Florida Radiation Oncology Group (FROG).  Through this partnership, multiple centers have been instructed on the technique of real time seed implants and multiple peer-reviewed articles have been published.

 
     
  Seed Implants
Seed implants offer the patient the convenience of a single day outpatient procedure with minimal down time.  In this procedure, under anesthesia, radioactive seeds are inserted into the prostate via needles under ultrasound guidance.  The center specializes in the ‘real time’ technique which allows for the customization of the radiation dose to maximize cancer control and minimize side effects (please see our partners site for more details).
   
Uses of Seed Implants
  1. As primary therapy:  Older patients or those with minimal, more favorable cancers  can be treated with seed implants alone.
  2. In combination with IMRT/IGRT:  for more unfavorable cancers.

READ MORE
XRT/ IMRT/IGRT
External Beam radiation has evolved dramatically over the last few decades.  Treatment is given as outpatient therapy over a six to eight week period.  Advanced techniques now allow increased doses to the prostate with fewer side effects.  We utilize IMRT, or intensity modulated radiation therapy, which is currently the most advanced technique for prostate radiation.  This IMRT is combined with image guidance (IGRT) to further localize to the prostate.
 

Uses of IMRT/ IGRT

  1. As primary therapy:  For more favorable cancers, patients can choose between seed implantation or IMRT.   Patients with larger prostates often choose this to minimize urinary side effects.
  2. In combination with seed implants
  3. Post- prostatectomy:  Patients who have residual disease following prostatectomy are treated with IMRT.
Combination Radiation Therapy
Combination therapy (real time seed implantation followed by IMRT/ IGRT) is the cornerstone of the radiation program at JPC. In this process, seed implants deliver a high dose of radiation to the prostate itself, and IMRT can carefully ‘paint’ problem or surrounding areas.
 

Uses of Combination Therapy

  1. Younger patients:   We see many patients in consultation who would like to avoid surgery- including davinci prostatectomy.  Traditionally, it has been argued that younger patients should all be treated with prostatectomy.  The results of our combined approach challenge that notion and give patients an added option for their cancer.
  2. Unfavorable cancers:  Patients with high stage (T2b), grade (>6), or PSA (>10) should all be treated with combined radiation (if they would not like surgery).  Seed implants alone are not indicated for these cancers, and in our opinion, IMRT alone provides inferior cancer control rates.  Patients at a high risk for extraprostatic disease often choose this route over surgery if it is felt the surgery may not completely cure the cancer.
Proton therapy
The center does not provide proton therapy for prostate cancer. This is basically a form of XRT whose results have not matched the hype. Studies have clearly shown the superiority of seed implants alone over proton therapy with respect to cancer control. The extremely high cost of this technology combined with inferior results gives this a limited role in prostate cancer. The primary use of this technology is in head and neck cancers in children.
The Power of Choice
With the ability to provide these options, along with Davinci prostatectomy and cryotherapy, both JPC physicians and their patients can feel they are getting the best treatment for their individual circumstance.
   
   
   

Home   |   Locations    |   McIver Clinic    |   BPH   |   Prostate Cancer   |   Concierge Services   |   Physicians
1998 - 2006 Jacksonville Prostate Center, Inc
Phone: 904-355-6583