CyberKnife vs EBRT
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hello
I was diagnoised with prostate cancer in February after an MRI and a biopsy (Gleason 4+4m but bone scan negative, so confined to the prostate for the moment). My oncologist has put me on Zoladex hormone therapy, prior to 38 planned EBRT sessions in the autumn.
Recently, a doctor friend told me about the CyberKnife system, available at several NHS trusts and some private hospitals; apparently it is more accurate than standard EBRT, with fewer sisks and side-effects, and only involves a few sessions (less than 5), so much more convenient.
I'd be grateful for any advice on the pros and cons of the two options, and what criteria the NHS uses to decide which patients can access the CyberKnife treatment, before going back to my oncologist to discuss further.
Many thanks...
0 likes, 19 replies
richard98806 anthony37993
Posted
Interesting that those in this group haven't discussed Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy. It was the method of treatment I chose and at this point (2 months post op) I am extremely pleased. Follow up PSA in about 3 weeks will give me a better picture of the elimination of the cancer. I had PSA 8.8, gleason 7-4/3. I am 67 yrs old. Only side effect is urinary incontinence which from other discussions should be gone 6-12 months.
RichardKen richard98806
Posted
Cheers Richard
aksns61 anthony37993
Posted
FYI on CyberKnife... this quote is from a recent study outcome:
Patients treated with a newer, faster type of radiotherapy, called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT/Cyberknife), also have higher rates of urinary complications, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Doctors need to KNOW the risks and the benefits of anything they recommend to patients, then make sure the treatment meets the patient needs. Too often we plunge ahead to the "newest" technology without consulting its effectiveness and complications. Your doctor probably did NOT tell you that CyberKnife has a much higher incidence of urinary problems than the normal hyperfractionated EBRT.
david41094 anthony37993
Posted
Please see my post below yours 'Pleased with Outcome'. I cannot advise on Cyberknife but I was happy with my treatment/outcome - although the 37 sessions was a bit of a faff.
?Good luck with whichever option you choose.