Since 2013 we have been using a Cyberknife M6™system
Radiosurgical treatment of prostate cancer
Painless treatment without complications
The modern Cyberknife method has already been well tested in the treatment of specific tumors of the head or body and applied to more than 200,000 tumor patients worldwide.
Specifically for prostate cancer, over 15,000 prostate cancer treatments have been performed with the Cyberknife system. The Cyberknife technology can treat localized tumors (stage T1, T2) with a painless, outpatient "surgery". This image and robot-assisted method minimizes complications such as incontinence and bowel problems.
Gentle treatment option for localized prostate cancer
The conventional treatment options of prostate cancer consist of surgical removal of the entire prostate and possibly the lymph nodes (radical prostatectomy), external beam radiotherapy (conformal, stereotactic or after-loading method), implantation of radiation seeds (seed implantation), a high-frequency ultrasound therapy (HIFU) or hormone deprivation therapy.
As an alternative or supplement to these methods Cyberknife can be helpful. Cyberknife therapy eliminates the tumor with a maximum protection of the surrounding healthy tissue. Radiosurgery is performed in 4 therapy sessions (30 to 40 minutes each). The treatment is painless, without anesthetic and performed on an outpatient level. Soon after treatment one can attend his everyday life as usual.
Up to now, Cyberknife is no standard therapy. But there are, to date, scientific data from over 2.000 patients with follow-up periods over seven years. The scientific data of Cyberknife prostate cancer treatments document a very high tumor control combined with minimal side effects.
The number of Cyberknife treatments of prostate cancer with low risk profile as a non-invasive method has increased in the United States and the Netherlands over the last years rapidly.
Painless treatment without complications
The modern Cyberknife method has already been well tested in the treatment of specific tumors of the head or body and applied to more than 200,000 tumor patients worldwide.
Specifically for prostate cancer, over 15,000 prostate cancer treatments have been performed with the Cyberknife system. The Cyberknife technology can treat localized tumors (stage T1, T2) with a painless, outpatient "surgery". This image and robot-assisted method minimizes complications such as incontinence and bowel problems.
Gentle treatment option for localized prostate cancer
The conventional treatment options of prostate cancer consist of surgical removal of the entire prostate and possibly the lymph nodes (radical prostatectomy), external beam radiotherapy (conformal, stereotactic or after-loading method), implantation of radiation seeds (seed implantation), a high-frequency ultrasound therapy (HIFU) or hormone deprivation therapy.
As an alternative or supplement to these methods Cyberknife can be helpful. Cyberknife therapy eliminates the tumor with a maximum protection of the surrounding healthy tissue. Radiosurgery is performed in 4 therapy sessions (30 to 40 minutes each). The treatment is painless, without anesthetic and performed on an outpatient level. Soon after treatment one can attend his everyday life as usual.
Up to now, Cyberknife is no standard therapy. But there are, to date, scientific data from over 2.000 patients with follow-up periods over seven years. The scientific data of Cyberknife prostate cancer treatments document a very high tumor control combined with minimal side effects.
The number of Cyberknife treatments of prostate cancer with low risk profile as a non-invasive method has increased in the United States and the Netherlands over the last years rapidly.
Radiosurgical irradiation can cause side effects, despite careful planning and execution. After the treatment, it may result in increased stool and urination. Also urination symptoms may be associated with frequent urination, burning or a weak urinary stream. It can rarely cause flatulence (usually nutritionally dependent) or diarrhea. Most of the complaints are transient and last 2 – 3 weeks.
The most significant late side effect is the rare event of a narrowing of the urethra (about 2-3%). This can be treated easily by expanding the urethra again.
Should the patient show a normal erectile function before therapy, there is a risk of about 20% to deteriorate this over the course of 12 to 18 months. In case of erectile dysfunction special agents may allow almost a largely normal sexual activity.
Standard treatments are surgical removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles, the radioiodine seed therapy or standard radiotherapy over 8 weeks. Active surveillance without treatment is not a cure, but may be considered.
Based on the experience of the last few years, there is the scientifically-based impression that Cyberknife offers an equally effective therapy. Based on current knowledge of medicine, it cannot yet be said in conclusion, which therapy is the best for the individual patient.
The number of Cyberknife treatments of prostate cancer with low risk profile as a non-invasive method has increased in the United States and the Netherlands over the last years rapidly.
The first PSA follow-up should be performed 6-8 weeks after the procedure. It is expected to show already a PSA decline in this time frame. To ensure a safe follow up period the following PSA controls should be done on a quarterly basis. An MRI follow up scan can be done 6 months after the procedure if indicated.
