PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT.

I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2005, but did not feel comfortable with the proposed treatment of Hormones plus radiation because of the possible and likely serious side effects, so I held off having the treatment.
In July 2006 Doctor Patrick Bowden (Oncologist) from Peter McCallum Cancer Centre at Bendigo Hospital and Tattersall's Cancer Centre at Epworth Hospital in Melbourne informed me that there was a new treatment called "Intense Modulated Radiation Therapy". Doctors only started using this treatment in October 2005.

IMRT gives radiation therapists the ability to "sculpt" the edges of a tumor, sparing the adjacent healthy tissue. Treatment is carefully planned by using 3-D (CT) images of the patient in conjunction with computerized dose calculations to determine the dose intensity pattern that will best conform to the tumor shape.
The radiation dose is designed to conform to the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the tumor by modulating-or controlling-the intensity of the radiation beam to focus a higher radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissues.

The treatment consists of daily sessions 5 days per week for a prescribed time depending on the degree & type of cancer.

My treatment went for Eight weeks consisting of one minute bursts from Seven (7) angles/ positions around my body each day.
I suffered no side effects except for minimal radiation burns to my buttocks.

My Prostate Serum Activity (PSA) readings went from 27.9 in July 2006 to 2.3 in April 2007.

I have exceeded the Oncologist's expectations regarding recovery and feel on top of the world.
I would recommend to everyone who is unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with Prostate cancer in particular, to enquire about all option as far as treatment is concerned, especially Intense Modulated Radiation Therapy, before making any decision regarding the type that best suits the individual's needs.

There are Facilities in Bendigo & Melbourne in Victoria, Charles Gardiner Centre in Perth W.A. and a couple of locations in New South wales, according to the Facilitator in Melbourne.
This treatment and associated expenses were all covered by DVA.

Tattersall's Cancer Centre

The Tattersall's Cancer Centre is pleased to be able to provide Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatments.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a state-of-the-art treatment mode of high-precision radiation therapy that utilises computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver concise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor.

IMRT gives radiation therapists the ability to "sculpt" the edges of a tumor, sparing the adjacent healthy tissue. Treatment is carefully planned by using 3-D (CT) images of the patient in conjunction with computerized dose calculations to determine the dose intensity pattern that will best conform to the tumor shape.

The radiation dose is designed to conform to the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the tumor by modulating-or controlling-the intensity of the radiation beam to focus a higher radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissues.

IMRT technology lets radiation oncologists deliver radiation to a tumor with more precision and accuracy, resulting in the potential for fewer side effects and higher cure rates.