CyberKnife

Cyberknife
Y, I too was diagnosed in March and I have recently made a decision to go forward with Cyberknife treatment. Dx PSA = 4.2, 1/12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3=6, Stage T1c. Like any of the potential treatments, there are pros and cons. Pros are a (relatively) quick and easy procedure that is done in five treatment sessions where most people go immediately back to work after their session. Long term prognosis is as good or better than other forms of radiation but since they have only been using Cyberknife to treat prostate cancer for about five years, there isn't the long term data that XBRT, brachy, or proton radiation. The initial indications are on par or better than the others with a fairly dramatic PSA drop and a PSA nadir reached at about 15 months. The long term complications of urinary incontinence and ED are largely absent from Cyberknife patients although again, the long term data isn't there.

Cyberknife, as you probably know, uses a highly focused, extremely accurate beam of high dose radiation in five treatments. The sub-millimeter accuracy of Cyberknife minimizes potential damage to adjacent organs such as the rectum and bladder. About the only measurable problem is that about 20% or less of patients have a sense of "urgency to pee" after Cyberknife which resolves itself in a few weeks. Potency at 4 years is over 80% and those with issues respond well to Viagra-like drugs.

Others here will be happy to go over pros and cons of surgical options and potential side effects.

I have consulted with a Cyberknife center near me and am happy with the credentials, the staff, and the number of patients who have been treated.

There is a similar procedure to Cyberknife that uses a Novalis Tx machine but the end result is essentially the same. My impression from my consultation with them was that it is used more as an adjunct to other forms of radiation (like XBRT) rather than as a stand alone procedure.

I reached my decision after several consultations and a lot of research which you can read about in my post on this site titled "Decisions, Decisions."

Before jumping on Cyberknife I would strongly encourage you to seriously explore the other treatment options that your symptoms indicate might be feasible such as surgery, XBRT, Seeds, HDR brachy, nerve sparing cryo, and active surveillance.

Cyberknife hosts an excellent discussion board which is moderated by Cyberknife doctors who answer queries just like yours. Check it out at www.cyberknife. com

Best of luck in your journey.

Kongo said:

Cyberknife
Y, I too was diagnosed in March and I have recently made a decision to go forward with Cyberknife treatment. Dx PSA = 4.2, 1/12 cores positive, Gleason 3+3=6, Stage T1c. Like any of the potential treatments, there are pros and cons. Pros are a (relatively) quick and easy procedure that is done in five treatment sessions where most people go immediately back to work after their session. Long term prognosis is as good or better than other forms of radiation but since they have only been using Cyberknife to treat prostate cancer for about five years, there isn't the long term data that XBRT, brachy, or proton radiation. The initial indications are on par or better than the others with a fairly dramatic PSA drop and a PSA nadir reached at about 15 months. The long term complications of urinary incontinence and ED are largely absent from Cyberknife patients although again, the long term data isn't there.

Cyberknife, as you probably know, uses a highly focused, extremely accurate beam of high dose radiation in five treatments. The sub-millimeter accuracy of Cyberknife minimizes potential damage to adjacent organs such as the rectum and bladder. About the only measurable problem is that about 20% or less of patients have a sense of "urgency to pee" after Cyberknife which resolves itself in a few weeks. Potency at 4 years is over 80% and those with issues respond well to Viagra-like drugs.

Others here will be happy to go over pros and cons of surgical options and potential side effects.

I have consulted with a Cyberknife center near me and am happy with the credentials, the staff, and the number of patients who have been treated.

There is a similar procedure to Cyberknife that uses a Novalis Tx machine but the end result is essentially the same. My impression from my consultation with them was that it is used more as an adjunct to other forms of radiation (like XBRT) rather than as a stand alone procedure.

I reached my decision after several consultations and a lot of research which you can read about in my post on this site titled "Decisions, Decisions."

Before jumping on Cyberknife I would strongly encourage you to seriously explore the other treatment options that your symptoms indicate might be feasible such as surgery, XBRT, Seeds, HDR brachy, nerve sparing cryo, and active surveillance.

Cyberknife hosts an excellent discussion board which is moderated by Cyberknife doctors who answer queries just like yours. Check it out at www.cyberknife. com

Best of luck in your journey.

Cyberknife advise
Kongo - Thanks for your insightful research and sharing of the finding. I was convinced on the da vacinci surgery, but want to explore Cyberknife particular as a hospital near my home does it. Would greatly appreciate your frank, personal and pointed advise. Will value every word you say.

I am very healthy and athletic at 48. Biopsy last month put gleason at 3+3, PSA was at 2.1 with palpable nodule found during DRE. My father died of PC at 61 and my uncle even at an mealier age! My age and health and great surgeon here is driving me towards surgery. Have clear understanding on the serious nature and life quality impact of surgery.

Let me know if I can share any more info.
Thanks in advance

cyberknife
Dr Daniel Fuller of the San Diego Cyberknife Center will be on the Dr. Barken show at 6pm pacific time tomorrow evening(Tues) The telephone call in number is 1877-727-3301.....this will be informative for those who are investigating cyberknife as a treatment option

Ira