HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Versa HD for SBRT

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/31/2016 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm still doing some advance work in anticipation of a possible G4+3 or greater assessment following next week's MRI guided biopsy. I'm anticipating RT if I do get that higher pathology reading and, with the recent additional good news about SBRT performance, would like to know more in that area.

My location of choice for RT would be Oregon Health and Sciences University (and the Knight Cancer Institute -- with Dr. Arthur Hung) in Portland. I'm told they are now using the Versa HD technology for prostate SBRT. Can anyone (such as our expert in such matters, Tall Allen) comment: a) on that technology, and/or b) on that facility for SBRT? ... Or offer other remarks in this area, of course?

Thanks!
Posted 8/31/2016 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not much help. OHSU has a great reputation. I don't know of Arthur Hung.

Versa HD looks like a good machine. From what I can tell, it is VMAT (which means it sprays the Xrays along an arc), which is fast, which is good. The MLC sounds very fast too. Fast is good because the prostate is a squiggly little thing, and prostate motion can cause a lot of mis-sprays of Xrays, Mis-sprays=toxicity.

I can see there is a cone-beam CT for accurate siting of the prostate. But what confused me is it said that that no seeds (fiducials or transponders) are needed. I don't understand how it can be sufficiently accurate without that. And accuracy is mega-important when that much radiation is delivered. Something to ask about.

What's more important than the machine (there are several machines suitable for SBRT) is the plan, and the experience of the RO and his team, on that machine, in devising the best possible plan for you.

- Allen
Posted 9/1/2016 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
TA, you are consistently of much help...and promptly as well! I have had some frustrations with OHSU so far but mostly with their general operation, not the practitioners. I am still trying to get a handle on the level of SBRT experience and expertise at OHSU. And, of course, it may just be possible, as my local radiologist assures me, that I would not be a good SBRT candidate anyway.

As for Versa HD: it's interesting that OHSU has Novalis TX as well, which I gather is the UCLA system, and yet they are apparently using Versa for prostate cancer instead. I'm curious as well about not using fiducials. If I run across any explanation I'll share it.

I do know that the experience of the RO and planning team is all important. Perhaps others on this forum can be of assistance? In any case, I will certainly do my best to get a good assessment.

Whippoorwill
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply