The Villages Daily Sun

LADY LAKE — When John Bolin of the Village of Santo Domingo was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he explored his treatment options with his doctor and decided on radiation therapy.

“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,” he said.

Although radiation therapy is a conventional and highly successful form of treatment, Bolin had the comfort of knowing he had an extra bit of technology on his side.

Right on target

Bolin went to the InterCommunity Cancer Centers in Lady Lake, where he learned about the cutting-edge technology of the Calypso 4D Localization System. Also known as GPS for the body, the Calypso System tracks prostate motion while radiation treatment is being administered.

“I was the first one to use the system here,” Bolin said. “I felt very confident in what they were doing.”

The process works by implanting three tiny transponders (about the size of a grain of uncooked rice) inside the prostate prior to radiation therapy. The transponders, called “seeds,” precisely track the tumor and can detect even the slightest movement of the prostate.

Normal bodily functions such as coughing, eating or breathing can cause organs to move, and while getting radiation treatment, tracking this movement can be important to getting the radiation exactly where it needs to go.

Tracking the movement of the prostate allows the radiologist to adjust the beam or the patient’s position if the target has moved slightly.

“If the prostate is moving, those seeds are going to move with the prostate,” Dr. Herman Flink, of InterCommunity Cancer Centers, said. “If they (the transponders) move out of those parameters, we know we need to halt the procedure (and reposition).”

By always knowing the exact position of the prostate, radiologists can provide more accurate radiation therapy while minimizing radiation delivery to healthy tissues and organs surrounding the prostate.

Bolin received 39 radiation treatment sessions with the help of the Calypso System, and there were several occasions when treatment was stopped because the transponders indicated the prostate had moved. Bolin said the radiologist changed his position slightly to get him back on target and then treatment was resumed.

“I felt very reassured. I was anxious to have the procedure done simply to eliminate the problems, and I think that was achieved,” he said of his experience with Calypso.

Technology offers reassurance

There are other systems that use implanted seeds to help doctors keep track of prostate movement during radiation therapy, Flink said, but what makes Calypso different is that it works on a real-time basis.

Other “non-GPS” seeds simply allow doctors to see the location of the prostate on an X-ray, which is checked every day to make sure the radiation is going to the right area. If a discrepancy is seen, then the adjustment will by made the next day, but by then, the prostate might be in a different position.

With Calypso, the prostate is tracked while radiation treatment is happening, which means adjustments to the treatment can be made immediately when the movement occurs.

“It’s basically a triple check on the position of the prostate during radiation,” Flink said. “It’s just another way to be certain we’re on target.”

Although Calypso does improve accuracy during treatment, Flink cautioned against patients worrying if they are not using Calypso in their radiation treatment. Because the prostate can only move a few millimeters, treatment without Calypso is still very accurate, he explained.

“The chances for cure are virtually the same. This (Calypso) is just icing on the cake,” he said. “Whether they have Calypso or not, treatment is still accurate and it works.”

For Bolin, treatment seems to have been a success. His PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels have dropped, which indicates that the cancer probably is gone. He said the Calypso System gave him extra reassurance in the treatment he received.

Flink’s clinic has had Calypso for about a year now, and the doctor has been happy with the technology.

“I’m very enthused by it,” he said. “I like it.”

For information about the Calypso System, call 866-510-1143 or visit prostategps.com. To contact InterCommunity Cancer Centers, call 326-2224.

Caroline Klapper is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9018, or caroline.klapper@thevillagesmedia.com.