Treatment When Active Surveillance Is Not Enough

If you have been diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, it is likely you know about active surveillance, a passive form of treatment that started to grow in popularity in 2010. By 2015, 42.1% of low-risk prostate cancer patients opted for getting regular PSA tests, biopsies, and imaging tests instead of a more aggressive treatment plan. When routine checks are completed as recommended, active surveillance can be a good option for patients with prostate cancer that is contained in the prostate, isn’t causing symptoms, is small and is expected to grow slowly, and is associated with a low PSA level.

However, if during active surveillance, the PSA level rises, symptoms occur, or the tumor grows too quickly, active surveillance may not be enough. Many men feel anxious about active surveillance, as it is not eliminating the cancer, but is a treatment plan based only on monitoring the cancer. Men in these situations may be good candidates for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System.

The CyberKnife delivers high-dose radiation beams to the prostate without incision or sedation. It compensates for normal patient movement during treatment, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Treatment is completed in five outpatient sessions in one or two weeks, and the patient can immediately return to normal activities during and after the course of treatment.

To get a second opinion about your prostate cancer treatment options, contact St. Louis CyberKnife to schedule a consultation.