RAS Pioneers New Prostate Cancer Treatment

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The problem with traditional radiation treatment of prostate cancer is that the prostate gland tends to move around during the treatments, causing accidental irradiation of adjacent healthy organs. The consequences can be terrifying for men.    

Complications like impotence, urinary incontinence and rectal bleeding can result.        

That’s why RAS’ recent acquisition of a new technology that revolutionizes the treatment of prostate cancer, called the Calypso 4D Localization System, is such big news. “Many people don’t realize that prostate cancer is about as prevalent as breast cancer in the United States,” says Dr. Mark Logsdon. “Many men don’t go in for testing when they should because they are afraid of these side effects. What the Calypso does is continually monitor the position of the prostate during treatment, allowing us to pinpoint the tumor’s location and apply radiation with much greater accuracy.”    

Tiny electromagnetic sensors, each the size of a grain of rice, are implanted into the prostate before treatment. The Calypso system continuously monitors the exact position of the prostate and the tumor by tracking the position of the sensors.    

“It’s a real breakthrough for men,” says Logsdon. “It can take a great deal of the fear out of the treatment.” There are only a handful in the country, and RAS has the only one in Northern California.

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