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SBRT Treatment for Prostate Cancer
There are several excellent treatment options for men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Some involve a surgical procedure, while others can be done without undergoing general anesthesia or being admitted to a hospital.
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Non-invasive treatments for Prostate Cancer include standard radiation therapy (daily treatments over six to eight weeks) or a new form of radiation done over a much shorter period of time called Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT, also called SABR or Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy).
Treatment
SBRT/SABR is an ultra-precise form of radiation therapy that allows doctors to deliver the equivalent of several weeks of cancer treatment in as little as one week. This is possible because of advances in linear accelerators the equipment available to deliver radiation therapy. Because of the complex blocking and computer-guided treatment planning, radiation oncologists are able to design safe and precise treatments that deliver a higher, more effective radiation dose to the prostate during each treatment session.
Advantages
Some of the potential advantages of SBRT:
FAQs
Who is eligible?
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Men who have prostate cancer, with a Gleason Score of 6 or 7. The patient’s PSA must be less than 15 mg/ml, and there should be no evidence of lymph node or bone involvement.
What is the success rate?
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The success rate is 92% or greater. Early results suggest that SBRT is as effective as, and likely more effective than, standard radiation therapy.
Does SBRT make you sick?
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No, it is generally well-tolerated. Some side effects that can occur are:
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Tiredness
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Mild irritation of the bladder and rectum, which can lead to increased urinary and rectal urgency and frequency.
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Long-term, patients can sometimes see blood in the urine or stool, but rarely have rectal pain as the prostate heals after treatment.
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Rectal symptoms can be significantly reduced if a gel spacer is used.
How would I learn more about SBRT?
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The best way to find out more about this exciting treatment is to make an appointment with a Radiation Oncologist who is experienced in treating the prostate with this technique. Fill out the form below or call (805) 648-5191 to get scheduled for a consultation.
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What steps are required to get started with SBRT:
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Consultation with a Radiation Oncologist who specializes in SBRT.
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Placement of fiducial markers inside the prostate for accurate targeting. We also recommend inserting a temporary gel spacer between the prostate and rectum.
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CT simulation when a cast will be made of your lower legs to help stay in the same place during treatment.
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SBRT usually begins 1 ½ to 2 weeks after your simulation.
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Is SBRT done as part of a clinical trial?
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Stereotactic radiotherapy to the prostate has been offered successfully for many years and is considered one of the standard of care options to treat prostate cancer in the United States. Our centers have access to the GU-005 SBRT trial that compares SBRT to moderately hypofractionated regular radiation therapy given over six weeks. If you are interested in clinical research, ask your doctor if you are eligible for the GU-005 clinical trial.
What should I expect after SBRT treatments?
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We will instruct you regarding care for any potential side effects after treatment. You will have a follow-up in our clinic to assess treatment response, monitor and treat any delayed side-effects, and receive recommendation regarding any potentially beneficial treatments in the future.
SBRT Prostate Treatment Team Ventura Location
Ventura Radiation Oncology Center
2900 Loma Vista Road Suite 100
Ventura, California 93003
Phone: (805) 648-5191
Fax: (805) 648-3458
Dr. Jeffrey Rodnick
A graduate of the University of California at Davis, Dr. Rodnick attended medical school at UCLA where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine in 1988. Dr. Rodnick completed a radiation oncology residency at the University of California at Irvine in 1992, where he subsequently served as an Assistant Clinical Professor.
Dr. Rodnick now serves as the medical director for Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group and is an active member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Ventura County Medical Association. Dr. Rodnick is board certified in both Radiation Oncology and Internal Medicine.
Dr. Rodnick practices at Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Medical Center in Ventura.
Dr. Thomas Fogel
Dr. Fogel has been with Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group since 1985 and served as practice president from 1996 to 2002. After graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College in New York, Dr. Fogel completed residencies at Brown University Program in internal medicine and Yale University School of Medicine in radiation oncology. He is board-certified in both internal medicine and radiation oncology and is an honorary life member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, and is a past president of the California division.
Dr. Fogel has been published widely and has numerous research interests, including transperineal implants in patients with prostate cancer. He is a member of the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American College of Radiology (ACR), and is a fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO).
Dr. Fogel practices at the Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Center in Ventura.
Dr. Steven Lau
Dr. Lau graduated summa cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in biology. He studied genomics at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, before attending medical school at the University of California San Diego where he also completed a doctorate in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. After receiving his M.D., Dr. Lau served a transitional year internship at the University of Hawaii. He completed his radiation oncology residency at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Lau is experienced in a variety of radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SBRT/SABR), high-dose-rate (HDR) and low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy, Cyberknife, and Gamma Knife. In addition to SRS and SBRT, oligometastatic disease and palliative care are among Dr. Lau’s areas of interest. He has published in many peer reviewed journals and presented his research at numerous society meetings.
Dr. Lau is proficient in Spanish and Cantonese Chinese. He is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS). Dr. Lau is happy to return to California and looks forward to engaging in his favorite outdoor activities while exploring the region more fully.
Dr. Lau practices at Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group’s Westlake Village Radiation Oncology Center in Westlake Village, North Oaks Radiation Oncology Center in Thousand Oaks, and Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Center in Ventura.
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Dr. Lau is board certified.
