The ProstRcision procedure begins when a physician implants tiny radioactive seeds into the prostate. Since the seeds are only 1/5 of an inch in length and as thin as a pencil lead, physicians can position them directly in the tumor and away from important muscles and nerves. These seeds emit most of their radiation over the course of a few months but will continue to release radiation for up to one year. When we say ProstRcision can attack the cancer with pinpoint accuracy, it’s because the area surrounding the seeds is hit with a tremendous amount of radiation, but a few millimeters away, the radiation level drops off rapidly.
Since the prostate does not show up on an X-ray, the precisely placed radioactive seeds not only release radiation to kill the cancer, but they serve to map out the prostate so it can be seen on X-ray as well. In addition to these small silver seeds, physicians inject several slightly larger and thicker gold seeds into the prostate. These gold seeds also help to outline the prostate on X-rays, so the doctor can plan the second step of the ProstRcision process – the delivery of targeted irradiation.
Seed implants are an excellent way to destroy cancer within the prostate, but they do have limitations. They don’t effectively kill any cancer that may have leaked outside the prostate (called microscopic capsule penetration). Further, because of the amount of close-range radiation these seeds give off, they cannot be placed right next to the urethra without damaging it. Importantly, studies show that over 41% of men with prostate cancer have cancer on or near the urethra. This is why we follow the seed implant with another type of radiation called linear accelerator irradiation. The additional radiation delivered by an accelerator ensures that all the cells are killed within the prostate, because leaving even one cell, healthy or cancerous, could allow the cancer to come back over time.
One or two methods are used to deliver linear accelerator irradiation – either conformal beam (where the beam of radiation is shaped into an exact outline of each patient’s prostate) or the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Technique (IMRT). IMRT allows for better control over the dose of radiation and can potentially keep the nearby organs from being over-exposed while focusing the radiation on the prostate.
When it comes to treating your prostate cancer, there are a handful of different routes to take. When making the decision between surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and all other options, you must consider both the short-term and long-term positives and negatives of each approach.
You should also get a better understanding of your particular case of cancer; some forms of prostate cancer can be slow-growing and never bother you during your natural lifespan, while others can be extremely aggressive within a few years. Read on to learn more about ProstRcision, a treatment method for prostate cancer, and who might be a prime candidate for this form of treatment—16,000+ other men were!
At RCOG, how we treat prostate cancer and the chance of curing your prostate cancer hinges on your particular cancer findings, especially your prostate pathology report.
You are a prime candidate for ProstRcision if you:
Prefer an alternative to surgery that offers a comparably high cure rate
Place a high priority on curing your cancer
Are looking for a treatment supported with outcome data as opposed to verbal assurances
Are interested in options that provide compelling published outcome data
Prioritize cure over convenience
Want to minimize effects of sexual function and not experience urinary issues
How do you choose between ProstRcision and a radical prostatectomy? Just like you would compare any two treatments: which one gives you the best chance of zero PSA 10 years later for your particular case of prostate cancer. There is no one cure rate for surgery because it varies with the skill of the urologist. Also, microscopic capsule penetration is probably a bigger problem for surgery than ProstRcision. You should also look at the other two big issues: urinary incontinence and loss of sexual function.
We see patients from around the United States who would like to receive the unique ProstRcision therapy. If you or a loved one would like to discuss your specific diagnosis, you can speak to a prostate cancer nurse navigator who can arrange a consultation.
Make an informed prostate cancer treatment decision. Our 40-page, comprehensive guidebook provides answers to our most frequently asked questions from men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and compares various treatment methods, cure rates and side effects. Our team can also connect you with one of our oncologists at no cost.
