New Software Leads to Improved Prostate Cancer Treatment.
from Better Health magazine, Winter, 2004
Brachytherapy,
the placement of radioactive seeds in the
prostate
to treat cancer, has been performed with success at
the
Center for Radiation Oncology for a number of years.
 An
exciting new software program allows for more accurate
placement of seeds, and allows the entire procedure
to be done in one visit instead of two.
The procedure
is performed as same-day surgery.
A urologist uses ultrasound to determine an exact
measurement of the prostate, then inserts a needle to
the designated area. Peter Leider, MD, our radiation
oncologist,
then inserts the radioactive seed through the needle
into the prostate. The computer software determines
the number and placement of the seeds, and helps the
physicians make necessary adjustments during the procedure.
“This real-time monitoring of seed placement
is extremely helpful in creating positive outcomes for
brachytherapy,” said Douglas Kozlowski, MD. “The
improved accuracy means we can avoid placing the seeds
too close to adjacent areas such as the rectum, and
gives us improved control to target most affected sections
of the prostate.”
Physicians Michael Andrews, MD and Joseph Carbone, MD
are also experienced with brachytherapy and are proponents
of the new software. “I believe Danville Regional
is the first in this region to offer this advanced technique,”
said Dr. Kozlowski.
It’s another example of how residents of the Dan
River Region can experience the latest in advanced medical
technology where they need it most – close to
home. Drs. Kozlowski, Andrews, and Carbone are urologists
with Danville Urologic Clinic.
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