InterCommunity Cancer Centers, Lady Lake, FL - Villages Man Chooses GPS to Fight Prostate Cancer

July 30, 2008 – John Bolin has a lot in common with many men his age: he is an avid golfer, and tennis player. And, unfortunately, like many men over the age of 55, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February, 2008.

“When I first learned I had prostate cancer, I went through several emotions, having personally known other men who had had prostate cancer – fear, concern, denial, and ultimately acceptance with a commitment to do something about it,” John says.

That’s when John decided to take a different path than traditional prostate seed implants by choosing to treat his cancer utilizing a new innovative technology, the Calypso® 4D Localization System™, also known as GPS for the Body®! That’s right … the same technology that is used in navigation systems found in our cars and cell phones is now being used to track and target cancer cells and tumors.

After learning about their treatment options, John and his wife, Dora, selected the Calypso System, offered by InterCommunity Cancer Centers. The Bolin’s learned that organs, including the prostate gland, naturally move during radiation treatments and doctors cannot predict which way or how much organs may move during each radiation treatment session. They also learned the Calypso System is different from other methods to prepare patients for radiation therapy.

The Calypso System uses radiofrequency waves which allow very accurate alignment of the prostate prior to each treatment and this cutting edge technology also monitors the position of the prostate during each individual treatment. Your doctor knows exactly where the tumor is at all times keeping the radiation beam strictly on target.

A simple procedure, much like a biopsy, of implanting three miniature Beacon® electromagnetic transponders directly into the prostate is performed prior to radiation therapy. “The Beacon® transponders are about the size of a grain of rice, so the implantation process was quick and relatively painless, “ John says. The Beacon® transponders implanted in the prostate communicate with the Calypso System using safe radiofrequency waves during each radiation therapy session. Together, the Calypso System accurately, objectively, and in real time monitors the radiation beam to make certain it is always on target thereby minimizing damage to nearby organs and maximizing the treatment effects.

John explains his reasons for choosing Calypso: “I felt more confident about my cancer treatment knowing that the use of this new innovative technology called GPS for the Body® was clearly identifying the area of concern. It also shortened my office appointments because it reduced the amount of time the technicians had to spend every day locating my tumor. And, most importantly to me, this procedure virtually eliminated the possibility of error because the technician could see every second of my treatment that my prostate was in alignment with the radiation beam.

The Calypso System procedure literally takes a few minutes to complete each day during treatment. “My radiologist scheduled me for 39 treatments, mostly five days per week. The individual treatments lasted about 10 – 15 minutes from the time I entered the radiation room until I was back putting on my street clothes. I would definitely recommend the Calypso System to my friends and neighbors.”

For more information on radiation therapy services or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hal Jacobson or Dr. Herman Flink, please call InterCommunity Cancer Centers at Leesburg, Lady Lake and Clermont at (352) 326-2224 or log on to www.iccancer.com

CONTACT:

Deborah Reagan
Marketing Coordinator
(352) 326-2224