The Calypso 4d Localization Radiation System | GPS for the Body | Radiation Treatment for Prostate Cancer | Plano, Dallas, Frisco

Author: Kristy Theis

Through a simple PSA blood test, Dr. Mark Allen, MD (972.612.8037), a urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates, was able to quickly diagnose Michael* with prostate cancer. As an active 48-year old husband, father and president of a mid-size manufacturing plant, the diagnosis came as a complete shock. With no real symptoms, Michael’s prostate cancer was caught early, however, because it was a more aggressive tumor, the ‘watch and wait’ recommendation that is at times given to younger patients was not an option.

“The news was very difficult for me to accept. We just sent our youngest daughter off to college and as new empty nesters, my wife and I were ready to travel and begin a series of remodeling projects around our house. Instead, I was in for a fight against cancer. I began my long and in-depth search for the right treatment that would allow me to live my life as I knew it before the diagnosis.”

After consulting with his Dallas-based urologist and a variety of oncologists, Michael opted for radiation therapy using the Calypso 4D Localization System. Reluctant to have surgery, Michael learned through a team of oncologists that radiation therapy can be equally as effective as surgery in treating patients with prostate cancer.

The Calypso 4D Localization System is quickly becoming the treatment of choice for thousands of men faced with prostate cancer. It offers a therapeutic approach that cures the cancer while allowing them to remain active and fully functioning.

Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates, treated Michael for his prostate cancer. Dr. Allen, who is one of the only doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth market who offers the Calypso treatment, said, “Most of my prostate cancer patients want two things: they want reduced side effects as a result of the cancer treatment and they want to keep their quality of life. The Calypso radiation technology uses real-time tracking which is immensely important because it enables us to deliver high amounts of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing all other organs from any exposure. This reduces the side effects which improves their quality of life.”

For Michael, incontinence and a decrease in sexual activity were huge concerns in regards to the side effects he might suffer from surgery or other radiation therapies. While there is no guarantee with any prostate cancer treatment or procedure in eliminating or reducing known side effects, the Calypso has a notably high success rate in serious treatment-related symptoms.

How the Calypso 4D Localization System Works

For Michael, and millions of other men diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are a few facts to know that will come as a surprise in terms of radiation therapy. The organs within the body move naturally; during radiation therapy a doctor cannot accurately predict which way these organs will move. If the organs move during radiation treatment, they risk receiving the radiation that is not meant for them.

The Calypso system is known throughout the medical community as the GPS for the body. With a tiny beacon that is inserted into the tumor, the physician is able to align the radiation directly and precisely to the tumor. This precise and real-time tracking has clinically been proven to raise the quality of life and reduce the side effects associated with prostate cancer radiation therapy.

For Michael, Calypso radiation therapy treatment proved to be a successful treatment option for his cancer. Sexual activity has remained active and as normal as possible and there are no out-of-the-ordinary urinary-related side effects associated from the cancer treatment.

Dr. Allen continues to see an increase in cancer patients who—if given the choice—choose the Calypso over other common forms of treatment. “I give all of my patients the pros and cons to each treatment options. Depending on where they are in their life, how active they are and the kind of lifestyle they lead ultimately helps us to narrow down the treatment procedure. For many of my patients who are in the same situation as Michael, the Calypso is a great and accurate prostate cancer treatment alternative.”

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/the-calypso-4d-localization-radiation-system-gps-for-the-body-radiation-treatment-for-prostate-cancer-plano-dallas-frisco-2696672.html

About the Author

Kristy Theis is a Plano, Texas-based communications freelance writer specializing in b2b, consumer and vertical trade copy suitable for both print and Internet. She has over 14 years experience in the fields of marketing, PR and copywriting and currently serves as the content editor for emedicalmedia.com.

As one of the DFW Metroplex’s leading providers of innovative prostate cancer treatments including da Vinci Prostatectomy and Calypso Radiation Therapy, Dr. Mark Allen of North Texas Urologists in Plano, TX was interviewed for the following article:

Dallas Urologist Discusses Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By: Kristy Theis

Prostate Cancer: The “Prevalent” and “Inconspicuous” Cancer

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in the United States with more than 230,000 men—almost 1 in 6—being diagnosed with the disease annually. When you consider this statistic, it would be fair to think that all young, and older men alike, would understand the symptoms and problems associated with this cancer. The truth, however, is that most men don’t have an understanding of what prostate cancer entails—at all.

Just ask Scott. When Scott, a 45-year-old telecommunications sales manager in Dallas, Texas, began experiencing a slight burning sensation when he urinated, he simply brushed it off as having a minor urinary tract infection that would go away on its own.  Shortly after, he began having trouble maintaining a normal erection—something that he easily blamed as a sign of aging. When the symptoms continued to grow more troublesome for this father of two, his normal life routines became interrupted and anxiety over the condition began to increase.  It was then that he scheduled himself for an appointment with a local Dallas, Texas urologist. With one simple prostate PSA test (prostate-specific antigen) it didn’t take long for his doctor to deliver the news that would change his life forever—he had prostate cancer.

While the symptoms Scott experienced did, in fact, probably save his life, the truth is that most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, don’t experience any symptoms at all and the ones who do, typically brush the symptoms off as part of life’s little nuisances.

Detecting Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system.  It affects how a man obtains an erection, how he urinates and it also helps to produce semen.  Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the prostate gland.  This particular cancer grows slowly and typically produces little symptoms until it progresses.  When prostate cancer symptoms do appear, as in Scott’s case, the cancer has usually progressed and is in a further stage.

According to Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a North Texas Urologist, the majority of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer will, in fact, not experience any known symptoms. “That is why an annual physical is so important so that blood and urine samples can be tested.  Simple tests will provide red flags for common cancers such as prostate.  For example, if a young man has an elevated PSA test, this is a sign that there is something off and might possibly could be linked to prostate cancer. If this cancer is detected early, chances for survival are excellent,” says Dr. Allen.

Allen continues to say, “During routine physical exams, PSA tests are not always administered; most often, because prostate cancer is not viewed as a threat for young men under the age of 40. However, in recent years, it is becoming an increasingly more common diagnosis, thus, men must take control of their own health and request this particular test during routine physicals. As men increase in age, their risk of developing prostate cancer increases dramatically. Although only 1 in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 39 for ages 40 to 59, and continues to radically increase thereafter.”

New Advanced Treatment Options For Patients

For most men who are undergoing prostate cancer treatment, there are many options to consider—each with a number of pros and cons.  It is important to discuss each prostate cancer treatment option carefully with your urologist or oncologist.

According to Urologist, Dr. Mark Allen, MD, “Radiation cancer therapy has come a long way in recent years to help with the treatment of prostate cancer.  One worry with prostate cancer radiation therapy is how it affects nearby organs.  We use the Calypso® 4D Localization System on our patients and this particular therapy eliminates much of this movement.  The Calypso system essentially acts as a GPS for the body using precise, real-time tracking of the radiation beam so that it targets and hits the tumor itself avoiding nearby organs.”

Dr. Allen is a pioneer in prostate cancer radiation therapy and was one of the very first doctors in the North Texas area to offer the Calypso 4D system as an option. Similar to the new advances in guided radiation therapy, there are also huge strides that have been made in surgeries to treat prostate cancer.   A standard course of treatment is a radical prostatectomy where either all or some of the prostate, as well as tissue surround the organ, is removed. There are side effects to this surgery including impotence and urinary incontinence.

According to FastCompany magazine, one of the leading print and online sources for innovative ideas and ground-breaking solutions, the da Vinci robotic surgery is a highly advanced technical procedure that has been proven to be more effective, quicker to perform, and dramatically less invasive than a traditional cancer surgery.

The breakthrough in robotic prostate cancer surgery involves making very tiny incisions to the lower abdomen allowing very small instruments and a 3D camera to be inserted into the patient.  The surgeon then sits down at a nearby console where he or she views a magnified, high-resolution, 3D image of the prostate.  The system then flawlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, accurate, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.  Intrinsically, every maneuver performed with the da Vinci robotic surgical device is performed with direct input from the surgeon.

Because robotic prostate cancer surgery, in general, is relatively knew, it is hasn’t yet been adopted by many Dallas area urologists.  Dr. Allen explains, “Many patients are still most comfortable with traditional surgery.  For a surgeon, there is a significant investment in training and the learning curve is pretty extensive.   However, once mastered, using robotic prostate cancer surgery as a treatment for this cancer provides the surgeon with instinctive control, range of motion, tissue manipulation and capabilities that are characteristic of open surgery but with the side effects of a more minimally-invasive procedure.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, who adopted the da Vinci surgical system in 2003, robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer is ideally suited for pelvic surgery in order to avoid the side-effects—such as penile dysfunction and bladder incontinence—that can occur to such a sensitive region of the body.

Listen to What Your Body is Telling You

Dr. Allen continues to say, “Regardless of the prostate cancer treatment options a patient might choose, it’s important to detect and diagnose this cancer before it progresses.  There are several distinct warning signs that men should be aware of to help catch this increasingly widespread cancer.”  He offers some important symptoms to be cognitive of:

• Difficulty or inability to urinate
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in having or maintaining an erection
• Painful or uncomfortable ejaculation
• Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, or upper thighs

While these symptoms could possibly be another condition—such as an enlarged prostate, BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatis—which is a common inflammation of the prostate gland, it’s important to have a physical and the necessary tests performed so that cancer can be ruled out.

By Kristy M. Theis (Content Editor, eMedical Media)

Contributors: Dr. Mark Allen, MD is a skilled urologist practicing in Dallas, Texas. He offers urological services to patients throughout the greater Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Fort Worth and Arlington areas.

About the Author

Kristy Theis is a Plano, Texas-based communications freelance writer specializing in b2b, consumer and vertical trade copy suitable for both print and Internet. She has over 14 years experience in the fields of marketing, PR and copywriting and currently serves as the web, SEO and marketing communications content editor for eMedical Media.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Dallas Urologist Discusses Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

If you are considering a da Vinci Prostatectomy to treat your prostate cancer, here is what you can expect from initial appointment to follow-up care.

1. Initial Appointment

Typically, your primary care physician will check your PSA levels in your blood workup during your routine check-up.  If your laboratory results show an “elevated PSA”, you will be referred to a urologist for further testing.

2. Laboratory Results

The exam likely consists of a standard digital rectal exam (DRE), in which Dr. Allen manually palpates the prostate by way of the rectum. Even if he detects nothing abnormal, he will schedule a biopsy to be certain there is no evidence of prostate cancer. The biopsy is performed by inserting a tubular structure in the rectum, from which projectile needles collect 5-6 “cores” of tissue from each side of the prostate. Although many patients tolerate the biopsy without medication, Dr. Allen may offer something to alleviate your discomfort and anxiety associated with the procedure.

3. Treatment Options

If you have an early diagnosis of prostate cancer, there is usually a range of treatment options. These may include conservative management, radiation therapy with external bream or brachytherapy, cryosurgery and prostatectomy – surgical removal of the prostate. The treatment options will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, and you age, health and personal preference.

If you choose to have a da Vinci^® Prostatectomy – robotic prostate surgery – here is what you can expect:

4. Pre-Operative

You will have a physical examination and discuss the various types of anesthesia with your anesthesiologist. This visit is arranged by Dr. Allen and will likely occur the week before surgery. The evening before surgery, you will need to follow instructions for bowel preparation that Dr. Allen will provide.

5. Day of Surgery

Shortly before the operation, anesthesia is administered and you will sleep for the duration of the operation, which typically lasts 2-4 hours. The procedure begins when your abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas, creating an operating space for the surgeon. Next, six small incisions, 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, are made in your abdomen and ports are inserted to keep the incisions open.

During the procedure, Dr. Allen uses the da Vinci System’s laparoscopic surgical instruments and video camera, via the temporary ports, to direct the dissection of the prostate gland and adjacent tissue. If deemed appropriate, he tries to preserve the nerves attached to your prostate gland (nerve sparing). At the end of the surgery, the ports are removed from your abdomen and the remaining incisions are closed with sutures.

(For detailed information about this procedure, please set up a consultation with Dr. Allen.)

6. Post-Operative

After robotic prostatectomy surgery, you wake up very groggy and with a urinary catheter in place. You will likely spend one night in the hospital resting and recovering from the effects of the anesthesia. As the anesthesia wears off, there may be some discomfort, for which pain medication may be prescribed. During this time, the medical team gets you patient sitting, standing and eventually walking around, which is recommended throughout the recovery period. Because a catheter typically remains in place for approximately 7 days, Dr. Allen will review guidelines for use that will ease discomfort and ensure proper function of the catheter during this time.

7. Recovery Period

The first week post-operatively will likely be spent resting; however, frequent walks are encouraged. Depending on the your individual recovery needs, regular activities may resume as soon as soon as a few days after surgery; straining and heavy lifting is discouraged for the first four weeks post-operatively. Approximately one week after surgery, a post-operative follow-up is scheduled, at which time your bladder function may be assessed. This is done by filling the bladder with saline via the catheter, removing the catheter and then allowing you to void naturally. Some incontinence after surgery is normal and is typically managed with medication until bladder control resumes. Erectile dysfunction may also be a side effect of surgery. Like incontinence, this side effect may be discussed with the Dr. Allen and managed with medication until it lessens or completely resolves over time.

8. Follow-Up Care

After this treatment for prostate cancer, Dr. Allen will want to watch you carefully, checking to see if your cancer recurs or spreads further. Typically, Dr. Allen will outline a follow-up plan with you that includes regular visits, PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams, which will likely begin within a few months of finishing treatment. PSA tests are usually recommended about every 6 months for the first 5 years after treatment, and at least yearly after that.

Dr. Mark Allen, M.D. of North Dallas Urology Associates located in Plano, Texas has been providing urologic evaluations, treatments and surgical services in the North Texas Market for over 15 years.  Dr. Allen is commited to staying current on technologic advances that enable him to provide his urology patients with cutting-edge treatments and non-invasive surgical procedures.  Dr. Allen provides treatment for the full scope of urologic conditions such as:

• da Vinci® Robotic Prostatectomy
• Enlarged Prostate
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Female Incontinence
• Greenlight™ Laser Therapy
• Kidney Stones
• Male Incontinence
• No Scalpel Vasectomy
• Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
• Prostate Cancer
• Prostatitis
• Robotic Surgery

Baylor Plano is the first hospital in north Dallas and Collin County to offer minimally invasive robotic surgery for prostate and gynecology procedures through the FDA approved da Vinci® Surgical System.  Dr. Allen is pleased to be one of the few surgeons in North Texas trained in da Vinci robotic prostate surgery.  If you have prostate cancer or other urologic concerns please schedule a consultation with Dr. Allen today to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.