With a household historical past of prostate most cancers, Keith Burchfield didn’t wait to speak to his physician concerning the dangers and advantages of early prostate most cancers screening.
At his yearly examination, his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ranges had considerably modified for the reason that earlier yr. There was a 50% probability that he had early-stage prostate most cancers. PSA ranges present up by a blood take a look at that measures the quantity of PSA circulating within the blood. This stage is used to evaluate prostate most cancers danger.
Understanding MD Anderson is the prime most cancers hospital within the nation, he requested an appointment on-line straight away. “I dwell within the Dallas space and was keen to make the 4-hour drive for the experience and prime remedy choices,” says Keith. “I didn’t wish to waste any time.”
Discovering experience and reassurance at MD Anderson
Keith’s first appointment at MD Anderson was scheduled in November 2020, in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. He met with urologist Justin Gregg, M.D., who ordered an MRI to be achieved in Dallas so Keith could possibly be near dwelling.
After the MRI, Gregg confirmed Keith had 4 lesions. The earlier hospital had solely detected three. Keith had a biopsy at MD Anderson, then went again to Dallas to attend for his outcomes. Shortly thereafter, Gregg referred to as to let Keith know that the biopsy confirmed he had stage II prostate most cancers.
Gregg outlined Keith’s prostate most cancers remedy choices: surgical procedure, radiation remedy or lively surveillance – also called watchful ready. “Dr. Gregg answered all my questions with nice care. This helped me and my spouse, Judy, determine what sort of remedy was greatest for me,” says Keith.
He didn’t wish to postpone remedy by selecting lively surveillance. He additionally didn’t wish to face the potential for unwanted side effects from surgical procedure. So, Keith selected radiation remedy. He knew he had a window of alternative and didn’t wish to surprise if the most cancers would turn into aggressive.
“I used to be introduced with the reward of early detection and needed to do one thing as quickly as doable,” he says.
Present process SBRT for prostate most cancers remedy
In February 2021, Keith traveled to Houston to satisfy with radiation oncologist Karen Hoffman, M.D., and Sarah Todd, her doctor assistant on the time.
“Dr. Hoffman and Sarah took the time to elucidate the varieties of radiation remedy therapies that I certified for,” remembers Keith. Every radiation sort makes use of a unique variety of therapies, both day by day radiation for weeks or a short-term radiation for 5 periods.
After speaking it over together with his spouse, Keith determined to endure a short-term radiation remedy referred to as stereotactic physique radiation remedy (SBRT). SBRT sometimes consists of 5 therapies utilizing a excessive dose of radiation to deal with the tumor’s precise location and form. A personalized remedy plan units the angles and intensities of the radiation beams.
Keith determined to commute to Houston from Dallas for his 5 day by day SBRT therapies. It occurred to be the week of the February 2021 winter storm, an historic winter climate occasion in Houston leading to highway closures, widespread energy outages, lack of warmth and damaged pipes throughout Texas.
“I’m very grateful that Dr. Hoffman and Sarah are really easy and great to work with. They stayed in steady communication with me. They made certain I used to be in a position to keep on monitor with my therapies in the course of the dangerous winter storm – even treating me on a Saturday to make up a missed appointment in the course of the week,” he says.
Keith doesn’t recall experiencing any important unwanted side effects from SBRT. “Whereas each remedy has unwanted side effects, I didn’t discover something out of the norm from remedy. I had power to drive forwards and backwards every day,” he says. “And the workers accommodated my journey schedule and organized my appointments for later within the morning or early afternoon.”
Cherishing each second after profitable SBRT
Three years after remedy, Keith continues to get pleasure from life after most cancers. He meets with Todd each six months to evaluation his PSA ranges by way of a telehealth go to and ensure his prostate most cancers stays in remission. In July, he’ll change to annual visits.
“My father was identified with stage IV prostate most cancers a few years in the past when they didn’t have the expertise and remedy choices obtainable immediately,” says Keith. “I’m grateful for the advances in radiation remedy.”
Keith is glad he acquired annual exams to control his PSA ranges. Most individuals with stage I or II prostate most cancers don’t present any signs. He tells different males: In case you develop prostate most cancers and catch it early, you’ll have extra remedy choices and a greater probability of getting cured.
Not doing lively surveillance was a simple resolution for Keith. He didn’t wish to have regrets, and he knew the remedy could be more difficult if he was identified with superior illness.
“Know the prostate most cancers warning indicators and keep on prime of your PSA screenings, particularly you probably have a household historical past,” he says. “Early prognosis is the important thing to efficient remedy.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson on-line or name 1-877-632-6789.
