Columbus CyberKnife Treats 1,000 Patients, Highlights Advancements in Prostate Cancer Treatment
WESTERVILLE, Ohio, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbus CyberKnife, a service of Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital, has reached an important milestone with the treatment of its 1,000th patient. This month marks four years of operation for Columbus CyberKnife, the area's only CyberKnife® treatment provider and one of only four in Ohio.
"This is a testament to our team's specialized expertise in stereotactic radiosurgery and the use of advanced technologies like CyberKnife," said Dr. Douglas Widman, Columbus CyberKnife medical director. "In addition to treating more than 1,000 patients, there have been recent industry updates in treatment guidelines specifically for prostate cancer patients that we hope will extend additional options like CyberKnife to patients facing a diagnosis and treatment decision."
Prostate, lung and brain tumors are the most commonly treated diseases at Columbus CyberKnife. The number of prostate cancer patients the center sees is expected to increase after two recent announcements supporting stereotactic body radiation therapy as a treatment option for prostate cancer.
Earlier this year, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® released its 2014 Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology® which now include SBRT as a treatment option for prostate cancer. Developed and updated annually by nearly 950 clinical professionals, the guidelines help individuals involved in cancer care, including physicians, nurses, patients and their families, with the process of making informed, evidence-based treatment decisions.
Additionally, the American College of Radiology recently updated its Appropriateness Criteria for early stage prostate cancer indicating that SBRT may help patients diagnosed with the disease. The organization is made up of 36,000 health care professionals, including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and other allied health professionals.
"When seeking treatment for prostate cancer, men should educate themselves on the treatment options available for their diagnosis. For those who are candidates, SBRT is a nonsurgical alternative with few to no side effects. Some men, particularly those who work or travel regularly, are drawn to these benefits of CyberKnife SBRT," said Dr. Widman.
CyberKnife technology, in use for more than 20 years in the cancer industry, treats tumors throughout the body with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). CyberKnife SBRT for prostate cancer involves five or fewer treatment sessions, minimizing disruption to men's normal routines and lifestyles.
Columbus CyberKnife is located at 495 Cooper Road, Suite 125 in Westerville, Ohio. For more information, call (614) 898-8300.
CONTACT: Chris Trahan, Zehnder Communications, (225) 505-1900, [email protected]
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SOURCE Columbus CyberKnife
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