No Iain, that's been around for quite some time. I think what Keithyboy is referring to is more the integration of the MRI scanner and the RT, something nearer this :- https://www.itnonline.com/article/mri-treatment-planning
Turkish Hospital Begins MR-Guided Radiation Therapy With Viewray MRIdian Linac
Technology enables high-definition soft tissue visualization and real-time image guidance during beam delivery
Turkish Hospital Begins MR-Guided Radiation Therapy With Viewray MRIdian Linac
September 21, 2018 — ViewRay Inc. announced that Acibadem Maslak Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey has begun treating patients with ViewRay's MRIdian Linac. The MRIdian Linac is the first system to combine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance and linear accelerator radiation delivery. These treatments mark the first in Turkey using MRI-guided radiation therapy.
MRIdian MRI-guided radiotherapy represents the latest advance in the field of radiation oncology. The anatomical detail only available with MR soft tissue imaging enables on-table treatment plan adaptation to reshape radiation doses based on the anatomical changes that occur from one day of treatment to the next. Using a novel streaming video perspective, the technology also allows oncologists to visualize and automatically control beam delivery based on the real-time position of the tumor and surrounding organs.
"We are pleased to have commenced Turkey's first MRI-guided radiation therapy program and believe it offers cancer patients in our country a number of distinct benefits over traditional radiation therapy," said Enis Ozyar, M.D., professor, chairman of Acibadem University Department of Radiation Oncology. "MRIdian allows for clinical improvements in visualization and precision daily plan adaptation, and it provides us with the tools to deliver higher and potentially more effective radiation doses."
Acibadem Maslak Hospital is part of the Acibadem Healthcare Group, one of the leading institutions in Turkey in the field of private healthcare services. Comprised of 21 hospitals and 16 medical centers, Acibadem signed a joint partnership with IHH Healthcare in 2012 that enabled them to be a part of world's second largest healthcare chain. Turkey is currently one of the leading countries in health tourism due to the country's advanced diagnostic and treatment services offered.
In addition to treating a full spectrum of cancerous tumors, Acibadem Maslak Hospital intends to explore the benefit of local control, toxicity and survival with MRIdian Linac compared to standard radiotherapy technologies.
For more information: www.viewray.com
Whilst more precisely focused beams on the target will further reduce damage to nearby organs these cannot 'eliminate' damage caused because with Photon beams however directed collateral damage is caused on the path to and after the target.
Edited by member 04 Oct 2018 at 03:22
| Reason: Not specified
Barry |
User
There's a lot of info from sensible sources which suggests surgery is often not the best option... and that it's often performed either because 'that's how we've always done it', or for profit.
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Hi,
Good your PSA dropped but still need to be wary. At least you have some time to decide the option you will go with. I don't know how good the RT was that your father had 11 years ago but is almost certain that improvements have been made since then both in terms of effectiveness and minimising radiation to vital organs. MRI scans today also provide a clearer picture of where to direct the RT. Also, it is highly likely that your father's cancer was more developed than yours. All things considered ,you do not have to think it follows that you will suffer long term as your father has should you opt for a form of RT.
Barry |
User
Hi it is a really a very difficult decision towards which road to go down with treatment. For myself I decided to have robotic surgery just in case the surgery did not get all the rogue cells leaving me the future option to have Salvage EBRT.. Which in fact proved to be the case. I understand that it is much more difficult to have Surgery following radiotherapy.
User
There's a lot of info from sensible sources which suggests surgery is often not the best option... and that it's often performed either because 'that's how we've always done it', or for profit.
User
Hi Andrew11, thanks for your response. Yes I have been told that having surgery first means that if all cancer cells are not removed during surgery then treatment can happen, but not the other way around. That in many cases is the deciding factor. Having visited Cambridge for an assesment the Robotic surgery seems very precise and has come on leaps and bounds to what use to happen when you had this type of surgery. Having been on AS now for over 2 years and the PSA fluctuating between 5 and 2.5 and the issue with my father struggling at 76 years old with effects of treatment some years ago... the surgery looks like a better option.
Keithyboy
User
Hi Old Barry,
thats very true that i may not follow the same path as my father , and indeed he was treated over 11 years ago , and things have moved on a lot since then. I had enquired about seeing if there was a way of genetically profiling through a blood test to see if i would indeed be likely to follow the same way as my father in terms of how aggressive the PCa was .. and was there a distinct possibility I was going to end up the same way. I have however no idea where I would start with this , was it available in N Ireland for a start and would this be available on NHS or would this need to be done privately. All things to think about.
thanks again for your comments.
Keithyboy
User
Hi Gulliver,
yes there is something in what you say.... however my symptoms of frequent visits to the loo,mean I have been told RT may not be the best option, and this form of treatment would only exaggerate the problem.
thanks
Keithyboy
User
Depends on the stage as to whether surgery is the better option. Long term outcomes in terms of PC survival are pretty much identical for stage 1 and 2. Where it gets murky and RT is probably more effective is at stage 3.
Is your dad suffering after effects of RT, PCA or both? ?
User
Hi francij1, he is suffering with both at the moment. The effects of RT and the PC seems to be active again. His also on Zoladex HT injections which are taking their toll. Makes me wonder if he had chosen the surgery route would that have been a better option, however his diagnosis was over 11 years ago and things have moved on so much since then.
keithyboy
User
Well he wouldn't have had the radiation issues or they would have been delayed (because any salvage RT could be years later).
Make sure any systemic treatment he is receiving is optimum, (this site is as good a place as any to work that out!). If it isn't ask why? if you are not happy with the answers - complain or seek a second opinion.
I watched my dad due if it, I am determined not to do the same , I opted for surgery as it gives you an accurate pathology and a second chance at RT. Irony is that choice nearly killed me but I'm still here 3 years later and no RT yet so it was the right choice for me I believe..
User
Thanks for for your reply, yes its all about making the right choice, but I suppose its very personal and you never know what is the right choice ? I think you make one and stick to it. Anyway the sun is shining and its Friday !
best wishes
Keithyboy
User
Originally Posted by: Online Community MemberHi francij1, he is suffering with both at the moment. The effects of RT and the PC seems to be active again. His also on Zoladex HT injections which are taking their toll. Makes me wonder if he had chosen the surgery route would that have been a better option, however his diagnosis was over 11 years ago and things have moved on so much since then.
keithyboy
that can happen whichever treatment is chosen, my dad was clear for 13 years after RP and even had the official letter from the NHS telling him he was in remission but it still came back eventually.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
Hi everyone, just updating my position since my last post. Option given to me was surgery , but since my assessment at Cambridge .. there has been some interesting advances in what appears to be focussed radiotherapy and has reached the news very recently . This is radiotherapy administered while /during MRI scan and is targeted at the exact part of the prostate that has the cancer, thus eliminating the chances of damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.. does anyone else have any info on this ? There seems to be some research carried out at Queens University Belfast were a form of targeted radiotherapy has been looked at and is proving very successful in trials apparently. I have not had surgery as I held off during the summer , but need to move this on. I am seeing my Urologist next week and hope to mention these new developments to see if these options are first of all available to me, and are they viable options instead of surgery . I am 2.5 years diagnosed remaining on active surveillance. Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Keithyboy
User
No Iain, that's been around for quite some time. I think what Keithyboy is referring to is more the integration of the MRI scanner and the RT, something nearer this :- https://www.itnonline.com/article/mri-treatment-planning
Turkish Hospital Begins MR-Guided Radiation Therapy With Viewray MRIdian Linac
Technology enables high-definition soft tissue visualization and real-time image guidance during beam delivery
Turkish Hospital Begins MR-Guided Radiation Therapy With Viewray MRIdian Linac
September 21, 2018 — ViewRay Inc. announced that Acibadem Maslak Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey has begun treating patients with ViewRay's MRIdian Linac. The MRIdian Linac is the first system to combine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance and linear accelerator radiation delivery. These treatments mark the first in Turkey using MRI-guided radiation therapy.
MRIdian MRI-guided radiotherapy represents the latest advance in the field of radiation oncology. The anatomical detail only available with MR soft tissue imaging enables on-table treatment plan adaptation to reshape radiation doses based on the anatomical changes that occur from one day of treatment to the next. Using a novel streaming video perspective, the technology also allows oncologists to visualize and automatically control beam delivery based on the real-time position of the tumor and surrounding organs.
"We are pleased to have commenced Turkey's first MRI-guided radiation therapy program and believe it offers cancer patients in our country a number of distinct benefits over traditional radiation therapy," said Enis Ozyar, M.D., professor, chairman of Acibadem University Department of Radiation Oncology. "MRIdian allows for clinical improvements in visualization and precision daily plan adaptation, and it provides us with the tools to deliver higher and potentially more effective radiation doses."
Acibadem Maslak Hospital is part of the Acibadem Healthcare Group, one of the leading institutions in Turkey in the field of private healthcare services. Comprised of 21 hospitals and 16 medical centers, Acibadem signed a joint partnership with IHH Healthcare in 2012 that enabled them to be a part of world's second largest healthcare chain. Turkey is currently one of the leading countries in health tourism due to the country's advanced diagnostic and treatment services offered.
In addition to treating a full spectrum of cancerous tumors, Acibadem Maslak Hospital intends to explore the benefit of local control, toxicity and survival with MRIdian Linac compared to standard radiotherapy technologies.
For more information: www.viewray.com
Whilst more precisely focused beams on the target will further reduce damage to nearby organs these cannot 'eliminate' damage caused because with Photon beams however directed collateral damage is caused on the path to and after the target.
Edited by member 04 Oct 2018 at 03:22
| Reason: Not specified
Barry |
User
Is Keithyboy not just talking about IGRT which is available in many hospitals in England but might perhaps be new to Belfast?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
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User
I don't think so Lyn, Not in it's usual way. IGRT has been available in a limited but increasing number of hospitals for over 10 years. It is explained in this link https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=igrt.
When Keithyboy mentioned advances and trials, I think he is more likely to be referring to the new hybrid MRI/linac such as Viewray MRIdian, linac, the first system to combine magnetic imaging guidance and linear accelerator radiation delivery in real time. Watch Viewray's video to see this advance. https://viewray.com/discover-mridian/
Keithyboy could ask his consultant if this is what was being refereed to and whether it is likely to become adopted for the UK. I see that it is being put into a major French hospital.
Edited by member 05 Oct 2018 at 02:13
| Reason: Not specified
Barry |
User
Barry |
User
Wow .. great thread and exciting times.
having travelled to the USA for a ‘real time, in MRI FLA’ to avoid the side effects of a radical treatment this is a fabous development that makes so much sense. I love the quote:
“For decades the radiation oncology community has dreamed of the day when we could see what we treat in real time just as our surgical colleagues do, and we are excited that this day has arrived.
It sounds like a game changer indeed so fingers crossed the trial is successful and the investment approved. Looking at the selection criteria they are considering G7 ( 4+3) so it’s not just low risk diagnosis but intermediate risk too.
Thanks for the link Barry - you have made my evening. If this is succesful and reduces QOL bad side effects it will change the whole debate about screening too.
User
Hi folks , its been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for me over the last few weeks , and I haven't been on the site for a while so only catching up now on recent posts. Can I thank all of you for your help and information I have just read in the recent thread of emails. I had to make a huge decision back at the beginning of October and decided to go down the Radical Prostatectomy route with robotic surgery and I am now out on the other side. I am now 2.5 weeks post op and doing well and was looked after superbly by all those at Addenbrookes in Cambridge I can't thank them enough for their help in getting me through this. I am coping well with the old water works and get all the results of the surgery in a few weeks time , but taking things easy and have got myself into a routine in the morning with a walk for 30 mins and then a sleep mid afternoon. Great news recently that Belfast now has a DaVinci Robot installed at Belfast City Hospital so this will save some men having to travel across to England for surgery. Early days yet I know but just glad to have this over with , I know I have still a long journey to go in the recovery process and although the decision was a daunting one , I think once the decision is made you stick with it and it is the right one for you.
Thanks to all for the help and guidance over the last year through the site and wish everyone good luck going forward dealing with this awful disease.
Keithyboy
User
Keithboy,
With your rising PSA i think you made the correct decision, and in good time. I wish you all the best for the future.
How is your father, i know he wasn't well when you last posted.
Neil
Edited by member 28 Nov 2018 at 19:28
| Reason: Not specified
User
Hi Neil thanks for your kind wishes. Dad is coping well , but still having trouble with bladder and bowel , but dealing with it. Just means he finds it difficult making plans ahead as going on holiday etc. is now becoming more of a hassle than its worth. At 78 years old he is trying physio and exercises to try and help the situation.
Keithyboy.