A New Standard of Care for Prostate Cancer: Better Outcomes, Decreased Cost and Optimal Patient Convenience

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One in eight American males can expect to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, with a growing number of treatment options, more men are living their best lives with their disease cured or under control.

Evolution of radiation therapy
Treatment success rates and survival rates for prostate cancer are incredibly high, especially when the cancer is found early and confined to the prostate or surrounding region. In fact, in the United States, the five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer is more than 99 percent.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, the use of high energy x-ray beams directed to destroy tumor cells, is extremely effective at treating and curing early-stage prostate cancer. Radiation can be delivered from a machine outside of the body (external beam radiation) or through radioactive materials placed into or near cancer cells (brachytherapy) on a temporary or permanent basis.

Advancements in treatment
Typically performed in an outpatient setting, treatments are precise, safe and tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Side effects are usually minimal and temporary.

One significant drawback to radiation therapy has been the length of time required for treatment. For many years, external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer consisted of once-daily treatment for approximately nine weeks, which can be quite disruptive and inconvenient for patients.

Thanks to ongoing advances in science and technology, shorter treatment schedules are becoming the new standard of care for prostate cancer.

Radiation is usually delivered in one or more “fractions” or treatments. Hypofractionation is the use of radiotherapy through a smaller number of fractions but at a higher dose, made possible by modern equipment with advanced imaging capabilities.

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that moderate hypofractionation (the use of shorter treatment schedules) once daily for four to six weeks results in similar positive outcomes with no additional side effects. An added benefit? It also reduces costs for the patient.

Precision and safety in treatment delivery
Today, specialized computer software provides precise targeting of radiation on the tumor, sparing the delivery of radiation to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. More sophisticated imaging in the form of CT (computed tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) has also been added to newer radiation machines (linear accelerators), helping to minimize side effects and long-term complications.

Surface guided radiotherapy/radiation therapy (SGRT), introduced in the early 2000s, uses three-dimensional camera technology to monitor thousands of points on the skin with immense accuracy and without contact to ensure that a patient is correctly positioned at all times. If a patient moves out of the ideal position, the radiation beam will pause automatically, protecting healthy tissues. SGRT also allows clinicians to deliver treatment without the need for any permanent marks or skin tattoos, which are often unwelcome reminders of cancer treatment.

Radiopharmaceuticals are becoming increasingly effective for treating certain prostate cancers that are more advanced or may have spread.

These targeted drug therapies are in a liquid form that combines a chemical compound with a radioactive component. When infused into the bloodstream intravenously (into a vein), they locate the cancer in the body and deliver a microscopic amount of radiation directly to the tumor cells. The goal is to prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.

PLUVICTO® is a treatment option for men with hormone-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. Given via six separate infusions, six weeks apart, PLUVICTO has been shown to significantly improve clinical outcomes and survival rates for patients who have had limited success with other therapies.

Xofigo® (pronounced zoh-fee-go) is used to treat symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. It is administered once every four weeks, for a maximum of six doses. Xofigo has been shown to help extend life by more than 30% in men who were treated with the drug, compared to men who were not treated.

Future directions in radiation oncology
Radiation oncologists continue to apply these and many other enormous ongoing advancements in science and technology to improve the way they plan and deliver radiation therapy.

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) clinic locations throughout Pasco County are equipped to administer sophisticated types of radiation treatment for all forms of cancer and blood disorders.

Skilled radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, hematologists, radiologists, pathologists and pharmacists work in partnership to deliver the absolute best treatment for each patient’s unique needs at every step of their cancer journey to enhance the patient experience and achieve the best possible outcomes.

To learn more or to schedule a consultation, visit: FLCancer.com/ProstateCancer

WORLD-CLASS CANCER TREATMENT, CLOSE TO HOME
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC:
(FLCancer.com)
In Pasco County, board-certified physicians specializing in hematology, medical oncology, gynecologic oncology and radiation oncology provide personalized care for all forms of cancer and blood disorders. With extraordinary skill and experience, they deliver treatments with maximum effectiveness and safety, combined with compassion and concern for patients and their families. From genetic screening to immunotherapies and access to the latest clinical trials, our top-ranked cancer experts provide the newest and most advanced treatments available – increasing cure rates and extending lives.

Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute