With cutting-edge radiosurgery, patients can squeeze in their treatments on their lunch break.
When it comes to health, men aren’t always vigilant about regular checkups, screenings and going to the doctor when something doesn’t feel quite right. This is especially true of prostate health, partly because of a lack of understanding of what the prostate is, where it is, and what it does -- but also due to the personal nature surrounding this gland associated with the male reproductive system.
All men should start having a conversation with their doctors about prostate health at age 50 at the latest. Screening for prostate is controversial, and you and your doctor may ultimately decide it’s not right for you.
But the good news is that cutting-edge and minimally invasive treatments are providing a faster recovery and drastically reduce the risk of side effects, such as loss of sex drive and intimacy.
“Radiosurgery markedly reduces urinary and sexual problems, compared with surgery and other forms of radiation therapy,” says Dr. Jeffrey Vainshtein, Radiation Oncologist and Director of the White Plains Hospital Center for Radiosurgery.
White Plains Hospital is the only hospital in Westchester and surrounding counties to use The Edge radiosurgery system. Radiosurgery, performed at the Center for Cancer Care at White Plains Hospital, delivers a more precise beam of radiation that can destroy localized tumors, including those found in the prostate.
It is completely non-invasive and is performed during an office visit, with no hospital stay, no anesthesia and no pain. Serious long-term side effects, such as decreased sexual potency, are fairly uncommon in men who receive this treatment, Dr. Vainshtein says. In the 2 to 3 percent who do experience it, Viagra or Cialis usually fixes the problem.
For those patients that aren’t a candidate for this intense, focused treatment, there is volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using either the Edge or True Beam – providing sophisticated radiation delivery with its own ability to track tumor movement, patient motion and breathing motion, limiting side effects and increasing accuracy.
“Typically, non-radiosurgery treatment can be completed in four to five weeks – still a major time savings compared to the traditional nine-week schedule,” says Dr. Vainshtein.
So, do yourself a favor for Men’s Health Month this June – schedule time for your health.
To make an appointment with one of our specialists at Westchester Urological Associates, call (914) 949-7556. Visit our website for more information about Urologic Surgery and Radiation Oncology programs.