prostate cancer: san diego radiosurgery treatment overview

555 East Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 739-‐3835 www.sdradiosurgery.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. •  NaMonality – 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 Novalis Tx treat prostate cancer? Prior to stereotacHc body radiosurgery treatment, small metal Hssue markers known as fiducials are implanted in the prostate to help the Novalis Tx pinpoint the tumor locaHon throughout each treatment, so the radiaHon beams delivered during treatment can be locked on the tumor. PaHents are then scheduled for no more than five Novalis Tx treatments. Each treatment takes about 30 -‐ 40 minutes, and paHents can return to their normal rouHnes following each procedure. The treatment process includes: I.  ConsultaHon appointment II.  Pretreatment procedures III.  Novalis Tx treatment IV.  Follow-‐up


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ConsultaMon and Pretreatment Procedures San Diego Radiosurgery physicians, therapists and nurses are focused on your individualized treatment: •  You will meet a San Diego Radiosurgery radiaHon oncologist to decide if Novalis Tx treatment

is appropriate for your diagnosis. •  Your treatment 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 treatment 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.


Novalis Tx Treatment

Typically treatment is completed within five sessions. On the day of your treatment: 1.  During Novalis Tx radiosurgery sessions, you

lie on a treatment table while the machine moves – without touching you – treaHng all areas of the tumor.

2.  Novalis Tx shapes the radiaHon beams it delivers to match the shape of the tumor. The cumulaHve dose of radiaHon kills tumor cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy Hssue.

3.  PaHents can usually return to their normal

rouHnes once the treatment is complete.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION •  Treatment procedures take about 30 – 40 minutes.. •  PaHents are asked to wear comfortable clothing

during Novalis Tx 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.


AddiMonal Resources


Under the leadership of Medical Director Dr. Brian Volpp, San Diego Radiosurgery has offered advanced cancer treatment from some of the region’s most experienced radiaHon oncologists and technicians since opening in 2008. Call us or visit our website to learn more about prostate cancer treatment with Novalis Tx. San Diego Radiosurgery is a service of Palomar Health Downtown Campus, a member of Palomar Health.

Medical Director: Dr. Brian Volpp Nurse: Cathy Blazek, RN, BSN Medical Physicist: Mark Young

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