What are the dangers of exposing other organs to radiation?
Dr. Zimberg: Whenever you give radiation to normal tissues, there is always a chance of causing damage. Side effects come from hitting normal tissues, but we can shrink the radiation field and deliver it faster. We are going to be able to deliver treatment with less side effects. The patient is going to end up with a much better and much safer treatment. What are the possible side effects from radiation? Dr. Zimberg: When treating prostate cancer, side effects can include damage to the rectum or the bladder. That can be very difficult, not only in the short-term, but patients can have long-term complications as well. Because of the image guidance technology, we are actually able to see the prostate itself on a daily basis, deliver the treatment very rapidly and avoid treating the rectum or the bladder. The patient has very few side effects. Many of our patients get through a 45-day course of treatment with almost no side effects. How much time is the new procedure reduced by? Dr. Zimbe
