From left, Chad DeYoung, MD, co-director of radiation oncology; Thomas Kole, MD, Ph.D., radiation oncologist; and Michael Wesson, MD, co-director of radiation oncology.

Think Five. It takes less time, has fewer side effects and is equally effective in treating prostate cancer.

In this new approach to prostate cancer treatment, physicians deliver five precise high-dose radiation treatments to the prostate, rather than the standard course of up to 45 treatments, meaning patients can complete their entire treatment in as little as one week, often with fewer side effects.

“For years and years, radiation treatment for prostate cancer required daily radiation treatments five days a week for upward of nine weeks,’’ said Dr. Thomas Kole, a radiation oncologist with Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, part of Valley Health System. “While that treatment works very well, it’s obviously quite a burden for someone to have to come for radiation treatments for that duration of time.’’

Over many years, scientific research and clinical trials were conducted that led to the development of Think Five. Essentially, the protocol uses higher daily doses of radiation to shorten the duration of the treatment.

“The key is that we can now do this safely,’’ Dr. Kole explained. “We now have the technology and expertise to perform a very precise delivery of high doses of radiation to the prostate,’’ without damaging surrounding organs.

Dr. Thomas Kole, radiation oncologist, Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care.

“As our technology got better and better, we are able to deliver radiation more accurately,’’ he added. “This cuts down on the amount of normal tissue that is affected.’’

Not only do the higher doses shorten treatment time, they are also more effective, Dr. Kole said.

“We’ve found that prostate cancer is very sensitive to how much radiation is given during one treatment,’’ he said.  “If you double the radiation dose you actually get more than double the effect. That means you can really shorten the overall treatment by giving fewer high-dose treatments.’’

Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, located in Paramus, is one of the few centers in northern New Jersey offering this treatment, said Dr. Kole, who trained in the protocol at Georgetown University, a pioneer of this approach.

“It has yet to become the standard treatment,’’ he said. “It has taken time for everyone to get up to speed and acquire the technology and expertise to deliver such treatment. When I came to Valley Hospital about three-and-one-half-years ago, my primary focus was developing the ability for us to provide this treatment.’’

The treatment is indicated for patients with localized prostate cancer, meaning the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Patients must also have a low or intermediate disease risk, which is calculated using a number of clinical factors, including the aggressiveness of the cancer.

While Think Five is revolutionizing prostate cancer treatment, it is just one of many treatment options offered at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care.

“At Valley, every patient is evaluated on an individual basis,’’ Dr. Kole said. “All of a patient’s unique features are examined to determine the best treatment for that patient. We look at not only the type of prostate cancer a patient presents with, but other medical issues, as well.’’

To ensure a seamless continuum of care, Valley’s physicians conduct a multidisciplinary urologic oncology clinic in which patients with prostate cancer meet with the three key treatment team members: the radiation oncologist, the medical oncologist and the urologist.

“We conduct a complete evaluation and have a thorough discussion about all the treatment options,’’ Dr. Kole said. “Some patients may not need treatment. It may be just monitoring. With the multidisciplinary clinic, we are able to get everyone in the room and have those discussions.’’

Another new development that is making prostate cancer radiation therapy safer, with fewer complications, is SpaceOAR® hydrogel. This gel-like material temporarily moves the rectal wall away from the prostate during radiation therapy to reduce the risk of damage to the rectum, Dr. Kole said.

“Two main organs – the bladder above the prostate and the rectum behind the prostate – are most at risk of damage during radiation treatment for prostate cancer,’’ he said. “This temporary gel is injected behind the prostate, which moves the rectum further away from the prostate and reduces the radiation dose the rectum receives.’’

This, in turn, decreases the risk of complications resulting from the radiation and speeds recovery.

All of this adds up to good news for prostate cancer patients.

“We are seeing excellent results in terms of disease control with very low risks of long-term treatment-related side effects,’’ Dr. Kole said. “Prostate cancer patients have excellent long-term survival rates when the cancer is caught early and treated effectively.’’

Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, is located at 1 Valley Health Plaza in Paramus. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 201-634-5403.