Cancer of the prostate gland is common. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 234,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2007 alone. Prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in American men, exceeded only by lung cancer and colon cancer. Athens Cancer Center established itself as the first radiation oncology group in Athens, OH, which means we afford patients the benefits of today’s most innovative treatment methods for prostate cancer. Our team of radiation oncologists at Athens Cancer Center are highly trained and skilled in the latest treatment methods for prostate cancer, and they have over 36 years of combined experience.
Precision delivery for highly effective treatment.
At Athens Cancer Center, we treat prostate cancer with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3-D CRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), depending on the patient’s individual condition. 3-D CRT combines diagnostic images and sophisticated computer software to “conform” beams of radiation to the shape of the prostate tumor. There is a prescribed dose across all three dimensions (height, width and depth) of the tumor, and radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue is greatly reduced.
IMRT is a more advanced form of 3-D conformal radiation therapy. With IMRT, not only are radiation beams aimed at the tumor from several directions, the intensity or strength of the beams can be adjusted during treatment to minimize the dose reaching surrounding healthy tissue. IMRT delivers doses to the tumor that are higher than conventional radiation therapy while much lower to the bladder and rectum.
Safer treatments that are easier on patients.
Both 3-D CRT and IMRT allow us to treat prostate cancer more effectively and safely than ever before. Patients not only may be able to avoid complete removal of the prostate (scarring, infection risk, recovery time, discomfort, erectile dysfunction) but can also avoid the bowel difficulties, urinary incontinence and side effects associated with “conventional” radiation therapy.
To learn more about Athens Cancer Center’s state-of-the-art treatment methods for prostate cancer, please call (740) 566-4600 today.