Increasingly, prostate cancer patients at UCLA are choosing SBRT with the support of their urologists due to convenience and efficacy.
As more long-term data emerges on the viability of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT, also referred to as SABR or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy), advances in linac-based treatment delivery technologies have created a significant uptick in the demand for prostate SBRT.
This article is part two of three. The others are:
“There are currently multiple options available for treating prostate cancer,” explains Amar Kishan, chief of genitourinary oncology services in the department of radiation oncology at UCLA. “But mounting evidence indicates SBRT is an excellent option, and we’ve seen a significant increase recently in the number of patients who would prefer to be treated with SBRT in four or five short sessions, rather than of the significantly longer courses of conventional radiation therapy.”
In addition to treating patients, Kishan is among many leading experts in radiation treatment who have been studying and reporting on the efficacy of SBRT in prostate cancer treatment. His latest research continues to provide sufficient evidence to support SBRT as a standard treatment option with favorable levels of toxicity, tumor control, and patient quality of life.
“As diagnostic tools have improved and we can target radiation more precisely, we’re often able to treat to a higher dose more safely,” Kishan explains. “Just 10 years ago, there was a lot of uncertainty about whether a shorter course at a higher dose could have serious side effects. We now have evidence that prostate cancer has a very good response to a higher dose per treatment, and that these treatments are safe overall.”
Kishan’s team treats about 80 patients each year using a Varian TrueBeam® system exclusively at the UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology. Overall, the department treats nearly 180 patients per year, making it one of the largest SBRT treatment centers in the US.
“From start to finish, treatment on the TrueBeam takes at most 15 minutes,” he says. “Conventional radiation treatment is effective, but typically means daily appointments for eight to nine weeks. Even the intermediate courses of treatment involve daily treatments for four weeks. SBRT is a much more convenient modality so more patients, urologists, and other clinicians are looking at this as the standard of care going forward.”
Photo Caption: Amar Kishan, MD, chief of genitourinary oncology services at UCLA
The information captured herein represents the genuine experience of the attributed individuals and may not necessarily represent the views of Varian or the above referenced institution. Individuals were not compensated for their participation. Radiation treatment may not be appropriate for all cancers. Individual results may vary.