2023-05-10 12:12:19
In the treatment of prostate cancer, more and more hospitals are opting for external image-controlled irradiation of the tumor in practice. It is of course important to ensure that all tumor tissue is destroyed. But it is just as important to damage healthy tissue as little as possible to prevent side effects, such as erection loss, urinary complaints or intestinal complaints. With the MR-Linac technique, which is used at AVL but also at UMC Utrecht, it is possible to prevent such side effects as much as possible thanks to very accurate and real-time radiation.
Brachytherapy no longer offered
In practice, this image-controlled technology works so well that AVL’s radiotherapy department has decided to carry out radiation therapy for prostate cancer as standard from now on.
image-guided external radiation techniques, in particular with the MR-linac. This form of treatment now offers a high chance of recovery, but also has fewer side effects.
In fact, it works so well that classic operative brachytherapy is no longer offered in AVL, but scheduled patients are still treated in this way. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy inside where a radioactive source is introduced into the body, while the newer technology works with image-guided external beam radiation.
Image-controlled irradiation is accurate
Walter Vogel, radiotherapist-oncologist at AVL is enthusiastic about the possibilities offered by modern image-controlled radiation equipment. “We have modern equipment for very accurate radiation treatments, such as accelerators with built-in MRI or conebeam CT scanners. With this equipment we can see the prostate and the tumors in it much better, so that we can irradiate more accurately. The radiation treatments can be adjusted every day to the position of the prostate and the surrounding organs, so that the prostate cancer is definitely affected and at the same time less unwanted radiation ends up in healthy tissues.”
The standard external radiation can be given in 5 sessions during two weeks at AVL. A visible tumor in the prostate can receive an extra dose (boost) if necessary without causing additional side effects. This increases the chance of healing. Due to the higher dose of radiation, hormone therapy is needed less often and so-called gold markers no longer need to be placed in the prostate. All in all, the new approach saves time, costs and side effects, while the patient achieves a high chance of cure and there is more preservation of quality of life.
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