DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr 30, 2013–Pre-publication results from a national clinical trial show that prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife® robotic radiosurgery demonstrated excellent preservation of sexual health and resulted in no significant side effects or complications.
“This is great news for men in the Denver metro area and around the nation seeking a non-invasive alternative to surgery, radioactive seed implant or traditional radiation therapy treatments,” said Anova Cancer Care Medical Director and Chief Radiosurgeon Gregg Dickerson, M.D., F.A.C.R. “These results are highly encouraging, and we’re looking forward to their publication.” The results presented at the recent Radiosurgery Society ™ 2013 Scientific Meeting represent the first Medicare-mandated annual report for the Multi-Institutional Registry for Prostate Cancer Radiosurgery (RPCR) trial. RPCR is a long-term, prospective, observational study involving 37 community and academic institutions in 15 states. The ongoing study examined overall survival and quality of life for men treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) using the CyberKnife robotic surgery platform.
The RPCR trial currently includes more than 1,300 patients diagnosed with early- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and Anova Cancer Care is one of the leading CyberKnife centers from around the nation participating in the trial.
“Several factors make this study particularly important,” Dickerson said. “It is multi-institutional, has enrolled large numbers of patients, and is demonstrating the long-term safety and efficacy of robotic SBRT for prostate cancer.” Dickerson has enrolled more than 320 patients in the registry, the largest number of patients contributed to the RPCR registry by a single physician. RPCR early outcome data show: 1. Excellent and durable biochemical response to treatment 2. The local control of disease is equal to any other treatment modality 3. No significant side effects or complications are occurring after treatment 4. Greater than 80% preservation of erectile function 5. Men are very satisfied with this form of treatment Researchers reported excellent preservation of sexual health and little in the way of any late urinary problems or bowel toxicity. Post-procedure PSA scores were comparable to other forms of treatment.
Anova Cancer Care is also currently participating in a landmark national prostate cancer study comparing CyberKnife to several other types of treatment. Results are expected in 2014.
Since 2001, CyberKnife clinics nationwide have successfully treated more than 100,000 patients, and Anova Cancer Care was among the first to start treating prostate patients in Colorado. Dickerson recently assisted in the effort to educate Medicare to gain recognition of CyberKnife as a covered treatment option for prostate cancer in the four-state region that includes Colorado. As of April 2013, Anova Cancer Care has treated more than 400 men for prostate cancer with CyberKnife SBRT.
For more information, visit www.AnovaCancerCare.com or call 303-396-1419. Anova Cancer Care is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnovaCancerCare and on Twitter as @AnovaCancerCare.
About Anova Cancer Care
Anova Cancer Care serves Denver and the Rocky Mountain region with the world’s only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body. Used by the nation’s leading hospitals and medical centers, the CyberKnife ® System uses continual image guidance technology and computer-controlled robotic mobility to track, detect and correct for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. For prostate cancer, the CyberKnife System enables delivery of high-dose radiation with pinpoint precision, which preserves sexual function, minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and eliminates the need for invasive head or body stabilization frames. Anova Cancer Care also treats lung, brain, spine and other cancers with fewer treatments and shorter overall treatment time than surgical or other older forms of radiation therapy alternatives. For more information, visit or call 303-396-1419.