PROSTATE CANCER DOESN’T HAVE TO STEAL YOUR TIME
SABR is an advanced 5-day radiation treatment for Prostate Cancer. For many patients, it is an excellent alternative to conventional radiation therapy, which can take up to 45 sessions. Read on or contact us for information on one of our upcoming FREE informational seminars and see if SABR is right for you.
BENEFITS OF SABR
(Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiation)
SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiation, also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy – SBRT) is a treatment technique that uses precisely targeted, very high dose x-ray beams to destroy small cancers. First developed in the early 2000s as an alternative to surgery for treatment of small lung cancers, it has since been proven to be highly effective and safe in the treatment of a wide variety of cancer types throughout the body, including prostate cancer.
How long has SABR been used for prostate cancer?
SABR has been used to treat prostate cancer since 2003. Since this time the technique has been continually refined since this time based upon published data of both safety and efficacy.
How effective is prostate SABR?
Published data from multiple centers throughout the world have demonstrated SABR to be at least as effective as conventional 45-day treatment. For more detailed review of the data supporting prostate SABR, please see [popup_anything id=”2884″].
Is prostate SABR safe?
Yes. There is a substantial body of peer-reviewed data demonstrating that the safety of prostate SABR is at least equivalent, if not superior, to that of conventional radiation therapy.For more detailed review of the data supporting prostate SABR, please see [popup_anything id=”2884″].
Why isn’t prostate SABR available at more radiation centers?
Safe and effective delivery of prostate SABR requires state-of-the-art linear accelerator technology, intensive medical physics support, and specialized physician expertise. Few community-based centers at present have this combination of attributes.
Is it feasible to be treated with SABR if I live outside of central Florida?
Yes. Special arrangements to facilitate the consultation, treatment planning, and treatment delivery process to meet out-of-town patients’ needs can be made as needed.
OUR CARE TEAM
The care team at Florida Oncology Tavares is led by radiation oncologist and medical director Dr. Jeffrey Brabham, MD.
Dr. Brabham has a passion for delivering state-of-the-art cancer care that is personalized to the physical and emotional circumstances of each of his patients.
Dr. Brabham has extensive training and clinical experience in three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), proton therapy, gynecologic brachytherapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT/SABR). He is certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology.
How does SABR differ from conventional radiation therapy for prostate cancer?
SABR differs from conventional radiation therapy for prostate cancer (also known as IMRT) in several significant ways.
- 1) Duration Treatment takes only 5 sessions instead of up to 45 sessions.
- 2) Margins The prescription dose of radiation is distributed more tightly around the prostate gland
- 3) Setup Patients are positioned in a more intricate manner
- 4) Preparation Patients have a more rigorous bowel and bladder preparation prior to each session
- Prostate SABR - 5 Days
- Traditional Radiation Therapy - 45 Days
CONSULTATION
Dr. Brabham will review and discuss your case with you and determine whether SABR is an appropriate treatment option for your prostate cancer.
STAGING SCANS
If appropriate and not already performed, Dr. Brabham will order imaging studies to determine the clinical stage of your prostate cancer.
PLACEMENT OF FIDUCIAL MARKERS
Three, small plastic markers called fiducials will be placed in the patient’s prostate in a procedure which is similar to a prostate biopsy, but quicker and typically much less uncomfortable. These markers will be imaged during each treatment to ensure precise positioning of the prostate to allow for on-target dose delivery.
TREATMENT PLANNING CT SCAN
During this session, the patient’s custom body mold will be created and a CT scan of the patient in this device will be performed immediately thereafter. Patients prepare for the scan with a self-administered enema to achieve an empty rectum and by drinking a moderate amount of water prior to the procedure to achieve a full bladder.
PROSTATE MRI
MRI of the prostate will be performed shortly after the CT simulation to generate the highest resolution images possible of the prostate and the surrounding anatomy. The MRI images will then be combined with the images from CT simulation, allowing Dr. Brabham to produce a highly accurate three-dimensional model of the patient’s anatomy to be used in treatment planning.
TREATMENT DELIVERY
Treatment delivery typically occurs within one to two weeks of the treatment planning scans. Each treatment takes approximately 10 minutes of set-up time and approximately 2 minutes of radiation delivery time. Treatment is non-invasive and entirely painless. Patients perform the same bladder and rectal preparation as for the treatment planning scan.
FOLLOW-UP AFTER TREATMENT
After treatment you will follow up periodically in this clinic for PSA monitoring and overall clinical assessment.