3 Key Takeaways:
- Patient education is paramount in radiation therapy, and the Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute provides thorough explanations of what to expect.
- Technology is used to calculate doses of radiation and minimize exposure to surrounding organs and tissues.
- Advanced Urology Institute is committed to a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to care, providing tailored and quality-driven experiences for each individual.
“The fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all.” You’ve probably heard this adage at some point in your life, and it’s particularly poignant when you find yourself face-to-face with a prostate cancer diagnosis. But you’re not alone, your treatment team at the Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute is here, dispelling the unknowns of radiation therapy and creating a customized care plan, just for you.
Understanding the Process
For Martin Tompkins, a specialist at the institute, the most rewarding part of his job is educating patients about what to expect while they’re in the treatment room. As Tompkins says, “One of the roles that I enjoy the most is when a patient comes in for a consultation… we sit down in my office and I show them a video of actually what is going on while the patient is on the table being treated.” This understanding is fundamental in easing the fear and concern you might have regarding the procedures.
At their office in Oxford, FL, the Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute recognizes the importance of patient education. “Even though there’s a lot of information given to them on that first day, they will leave with a good explanation and thorough explanation of their options,” Tompkins assures.
Preparing for the Treatment
When you choose radiation therapy for treatment, the next step is a CT simulation. In another room, staff will make a mold for your feet to help immobilize them during the scan. By mapping out the target area, which is the prostate or the prostate bed, they gain an external perspective of where the prostate will be. The team will give you three small tattoos using lasers, creating markers for the radiation.
You’ll then have a week-long break before returning for treatment. During that week, physicians and physicists scrutinize each slice of the scan, identifying areas that would receive radiation, and planning how to minimize exposure to the surrounding organs and tissues.
The Role of Technology in Treatment
Once they identify the necessary doses, the team plugs this data into a treatment planning computer. The computer calculates how to deliver the treatment, minimizing the radiation dose to other organs while ensuring the prostate receives the required level of treatment.
The Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute does not shrink from exploring the potential of technology in treatment. The use of sophisticated equipment to calculate precise doses of radiation is a testament to their commitment to providing the highest quality of care to patients.
Building Trust in Advanced Urology
Finally, using the customized treatment plan, the institute’s team delivers effective radiation therapy. This process essentially transforms anxiety-inducing uncertainty into manageable information, building trust between you and your care team.
Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, is committed to this comprehensive and patient-centered approach to care. With an unwavering dedication to patient education and treatment planning, they consistently deliver on the promise of a tailored and quality-driven experience for every person who walks through their doors. No prostate cancer journey is easy, but with the Advanced Prostate Cancer Institute, you can feel confident that you’re in capable hands.
References:
- “CT Simulation | Central Vermont Medical Center.” https://www.cvmc.org/departments-programs/cancer-care/radiation-oncology/what-expect/ct-simulation.
- “Planning radiotherapy | Prostate cancer.” https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/external-radiotherapy/planning-radiotherapy.
- “Radiation Therapy Benefits & Effectiveness – Targeting Cancer.” 20 Oct. 2020, https://www.targetingcancer.com.au/about-radiation-oncology/benefits-and-effectiveness/.
