New radiotherapy regimen fast-tracks prostate cancer treatment

New radiotherapy regimen fast-tracks prostate cancer treatment

Pictured: Prostate radiation oncologist Associate Professor Wee Loon Ong and Lethbridge resident Adam Letts.

Lethbridge distiller Adam Letts is beginning his seventh cancer recovery journey with optimism, thanks to a sunny outlook and a new cutting-edge treatment at Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre (ALCC).

Mr Letts is the first patient to receive high-precision stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for prostate cancer at ALCC, shortening his radiation treatment from 20-39 treatments to five treatments.

During the treatment, a linear accelerator machine rotates around the patient, delivering high-dose radiation with high precision to the prostate. With the help of gold markers implanted into the prostate by the urology team, the radiation oncology team is able to track the prostate.

“I’ve had surgery for cancers before, but this is the first time I have radiation treatment,” Mr Letts said.

“The treatment is directed at the prostate, while minimising radiation to the neighbouring organs.

“These people are just brilliant. They’re experts at what they do and you trust them.”

Despite his medical history, which includes kidney cancer and skin cancers three times, Adam maintains an upbeat outlook. He said after discussing his treatment options, radiotherapy was appealing because it would allow him to continue his active lifestyle, which includes riding motorcycles and running his business, Bluestone Distillery.

“My rule in life is ‘we’re here for a good time, not a long time’, so if I can stick around a little bit longer and have the quality of life that I’ve got now, it’s going to be so much better for my family,” he said.

“If you think really positively, you’ll get a long way in life. I’ve had cancer seven times now and was given my first death sentence 28 years ago, but I’m still going strong.”

Mr Letts’ prostate radiation oncologist, Associate Professor Wee Loon Ong, said the higher dose of radiation delivered through SABR allowed for fewer treatment visits over fewer weeks.

“Treating prostate cancer with as few as five treatments, instead of 20-39 treatments in the past, is logistically a lot more convenient, especially for men who live far from radiotherapy facilities in the western regional areas,” A/Prof. Ong said.

“The cancer outcomes with SABR for intermediate risk prostate cancer is excellent with approximately 95 per cent likelihood of cancer control at five years, according to international clinical trial data. There are multiple effective treatment options for prostate cancer, and men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer should be referred to radiation oncologists to discuss whether this new radiotherapy regimen is appropriate for them.

“While the equipment for this treatment isn’t new at ALCC, there is a high level of technical expertise required, such as continuous tracking of the prostate during treatment to ensure we target the correct area without increasing side effects.

“This could not have happened without the tireless work of the radiation oncology team at ALCC and a close collaboration with the urology team at the University Hospital Geelong.”