Device Helps Prostate Cancer Patients

Sep. 22–PANAMA CITY — New technology offered at Bay Medical Center will allow doctors to administer more intensive radiation therapy to prostate cancer patients with a reduced threat of injury to the rectum or bladder.

The SonArray patient positioning system uses three-dimensional, ultrasound images to pinpoint tumors when patients are on the treatment table.

“The value of this tool is it allows us to see the prostate on a daily basis and make small adjustments to the patient’s position to allow us to get the target right in the center of the radiation field,” said Dr. Charles Nichols, an oncologist on staff at the hospital.

Doctors introduced the $300,000 system at Bay Medical Center about six weeks ago. Nichols said 10 patients are undergoing therapy using the device. Prostate cancer patients taking radiation therapy generally receive a 15-minute treatment five days a week for eight weeks, Nichols said. The new technology adds about three minutes to the treatment time. Using conventional radiation treatment, Nichols said, doctors use the bony anatomy of the pelvis as a guide, assuming that the prostate is not moving. One problem, Nichols said, is studies show that the prostate can move several millimeters or even a centimeter on a daily basis within the pelvis.

There is a low risk of complication to the bladder or rectum with conventional treatment, but if doses were increased there would be a high rate of rectal or bladder injury possibly resulting in rectal bleeding or urinary problems, Nichols said.

“With this device, we can safely intensify the treatment so that we give the higher radiation dose without the risk of treatment-related toxicity,” Nichols said.

The American Cancer Society project about 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed this year.

“Prostate cancer is a very common malignancy in our community and a large number of our patients with prostate cancer ultimately end up being treated with radiation therapy,” Nichols said.

Cecil Howard, 67, of Panama City Beach, has had 24 radiation treatments using the new technology. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in June, Howard said he researched his options, including surgery and other means of radiation treatment.

The enhanced therapy fit in line with what he felt he needed. So far, Howard said he has not lost his appetite or been forced to change his daily routine. He is scheduled for 45 treatments.

“It’s been great so far,” he said.

The new technology is part of a new focus on enhancing cancer care at Bay Medical Center. In addition to treating prostate cancer, Nichols said the new system could be used to treat brain tumors; however, that capability is not being used yet at Bay Medical Center.

Nichols indicated that further cancer-care advancements are on the way at the hospital.

“This is one of many first steps,” he said.

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