Center for Prostate Cancer

AUS Center for Prostate Cancer

The AUS Center for Prostate Cancer offers state of the art treatments for prostate cancer.

There's no need to travel downtown to a university hospital, or anywhere else in the midwest for that matter, when the highest spectrum of innovative and effective treatments are offered so close to home. Our Center has treated thousands of prostate cancer patients and our physicians and staff have received many accolades over the years for quality of care and patient experience. Close, easy parking is always available. The Center for Prostate Cancer leads the area for prostate cancer care in many ways.

For patients that are diagnosed with localized prostate cancer which has not spread, the two primary treatment options to consider are surgery or radiation.  AUS has some of the most experienced surgeons in Chicagoland. However, if surgery is not a direction chosen, the Center offers some of the most advanced radiation treatments available, including radiation therapy with one of the only Varian Halcyon platforms in the entire Midwest.

Brett Cox, M.D.
Brett Cox, M.D. Medical Director of Chicago Radiation Oncology Operations
Dr. Jayant V. Ginde, Board-Certified Urologist at AUS.
Jay V. Ginde, M.D. Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist
Beth Glavac, Director of Center for Prostate Cancer & Diagnostic CT Imaging at AUS.
Beth Glavac, BSRT(R)(T) Director of Center for Prostate Cancer / Diagnostic CT Imaging

For patients that are diagnosed with localized prostate cancer which has not spread, the two primary treatment options to consider are surgery or radiation.  AUS has some of the most experienced surgeons in Chicagoland. However, if surgery is not the direction chosen, the Center offers some of the most advanced radiation treatments available.

There are several different types of radiation treatments available for prostate cancer including radioactive seed implant (brachytherapy), Proton therapy, or Image Guided and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT/IGRT), which is the primary treatment offered at AUS Center for Prostate Cancer.

IMRT/IGRT

IMRT/IGRT is a technique to deliver highly effective external beam radiation from outside the body while minimizing any side effects. Our Center is one of the only cancer centers in the entire midwest with a Varian Halcyon platform for radiation therapy.

This Halcyon system divides the radiation beam into multiple smaller beams called beamlets, that can have different intensities modulated within the area being treated. This allows a more precise delivery of radiation doses to the tissues within the target area. It also uses daily imaging to make sure the prostate gets the highest dose of radiation possible all while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues.

 

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There are also times when a procedure or treatment can be done before radiation. Some of these even optimize the performance of radiation treatments. Our board-certified urologists have decades of experience successfully performing these options.

Meet your team

The AUS Center for Prostate Cancer opened August 18th, 2008 and has provided a positive difference in the lives of thousand and thousands of patients and their families. This amazing team is as equally creative and fun as they are relentlessly focused towards curing prostate cancer. We recently celebrated our 15th Anniversary.

This group of exceptionally caring and talented medical assistants, radiation therapists, CT Technicians and Dietician makes everyone else around them feel inspired and good about themselves, no matter what part of the treatment journey they are on.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about your upcoming appointment, do not hesitate to contact the Prostate Cancer Center directly at (708) 581-7308. You may also fill out the form at the top or bottom of this page and we will respond as quickly as we can. Our office fax is (708) 581-7309.

Introduction To IGRT/IMRT: What You Need To Know

Prostate cancer cells divide faster than most other normal cells in the body and are therefore sensitive to the effects of radiation. There are several different types of radiation treatments available for prostate cancer including radioactive seed implant (brachytherapy), Proton therapy, or Image Guided and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT/IGRT) which is the primary treatment offered at AUS Center for prostate cancer. IMRT/IGRT is a technique to deliver highly effective external beam radiation from outside the body while minimizing any side effects. The Halcyon system divides the radiation beam into multiple smaller beams called beamlets that can have different intensities (modulated) within the area being treated to allow more precise delivery of radiation doses to the tissues within the target area. It also uses daily imaging to make sure the prostate gets the highest dose of radiation possible all while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues.

Once your urologist recommends a consultation for radiation therapy, we will contact you to set up an appointment with one of our highly experienced radiation oncologists who will discuss all of your options and make sure all questions and concerns regarding radiation treatment for prostate cancer are answered. Once the decision is made to proceed with radiation, there are several preparatory steps. Prior to beginning your treatment, you will come to our office for imaging which our radiation oncologists and physicist use to create a treatment plan based on your anatomy. Generally speaking, a CT scan of the pelvis is performed, although occasionally additional scans including an MRI are obtained. The whole process generally takes about 40 minutes to an hour. Once the treatment plan is finished, the daily (5 days per week) treatments can begin and each treatment takes only 10-15 minutes and there are no restrictions in physical activities throughout the treatment process.

For patients with more aggressive prostate cancer or for patients with larger prostates, the radiation oncologist may recommend a temporary course of hormone therapy. These medications are typically given as a monthly or every 6 months injection by your urologist and work by temporarily decreasing the body's production of testosterone. Testosterone is the primary force behind the growth of prostate cancer cells so by reducing the levels, the tumor and the entire prostate will shrink which makes the radiation treatment more effective and minimizes side effects to the patient. The most common side effect of hormone therapy is hot flashes and once radiation is completed, testosterone levels should return to normal.

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a procedure done prior to radiation therapy that helps to protect the rectum. It is an office procedure that takes about 5 minutes under local anesthetic.

Although IMRT/IGRT radiation therapy with the Halcyon system is highly precise, there still is a small amount of radiation that can be absorbed by the rectum which sits directly behind the prostate. SpaceOAR hydrogel is an absorbable gel that is placed between the prostate and rectum during a quick 5 minute office procedure done with local anesthetic. The gel creates a buffer between the prostate and rectum to minimize radiation exposure to the rectum and then dissolves by itself once treatment is complete.

 

The radiation oncologist recommends his patients meet with the staff dietitian for a nutritional evaluation during treatment. The Dietitian reviews medical history, eating habits, and questions from patients and their families. Nutrition therapy needs are assessed and individualized nutrition counseling is provided. Many health issues can be improved with good nutrition through balance, moderation and variety in your diet. During your treatment, it will be important to maintain current weight and fluid intake.

The usual first step is to make an appointment for a consultation with your physician to be sure that you are a good candidate for radiation treatment. This visit is similar to those in other doctor’s offices with a review of your history and a physical examination. We then review with you the procedure as well as its risks. You receive no radiation exposure at this time.

The treatment is a Medicare reimbursed therapy and is approved by most private insurance carriers. Coverage is generally good, although your individual plan may be subject to co-pay and/or deductible amounts. Feel free to contact our staff if you have any questions, and we will do our best to help you.

We acquire images on a daily basis which helps us target the treatment delivery. Staff uses the image by superimposing it over the image acquired from the CT scan. The treatment position can be adjusted to accommodate organ movement by shifting the table to the exact location of the volume to be treated. As a result, we increase the accuracy of the treatment delivery over the course of therapy. This increases the potential for cure while decreasing the risk of side effects.

Your radiation treatments are administered by a trained radiation therapist in a dedicated room. The treatment is given by a linear accelerator (pictured below) while you lie on a couch. The arrangement is quite “roomy” unlike that of a CT-scan or MRI. The actual treatment is painless. When receiving the treatment, you are monitored by a closed circuit TV and you may converse with the staff by intercom.

Call us today

(708) 888-8AUS

halcyon

Compassion & Respect.

No need to travel downtown to a university hospital when the same spectrum of innovative and effective treatments are offered so close to home. Easy parking and a staff that values compassion and respect.

Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Care

Associated Urological Specialists

10400 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL 60415


AUS - Center for Prostate Cancer

(708) 581-7308

AUS - Advanced Prostate Cancer Center

(708) 361-8162, option 2

AUS - Diagnostics Center

(708) 361-8162

Southside Chicago and Northwest Indiana

No need to travel downtown to a university hospital when the same spectrum of innovative and effective treatments are offered close to home, with easy parking and a staff that values compassion and respect. Best screening, diagnosis and treatments for patients from Chicago, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Homewood, Orland Park and Palos Hills. Morris, Joliet and New Lenox. Highland, Indiana as well. Advanced Urology care for those from Alsip, Bedford Park, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Burbank, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Englewood, Glenwood, Harvey, Hickory Hills, Homer Glen, Matteson, Midlothian, Mokena, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Orland Hills, Park Forest, Roseland, South side, South Holland and Tinley Park. Best prostate cancer care for patients from Bolingbrook, Brighten Park, Burnham, Burr Ridge, Calumet City, Countryside, Crystal Lawns, Crest Hill, Darien, Dolton, Fairmont, Frankfort, Gage Park, Gillets, Hammond, Hinsdale, Hyde Park, Ingalls Park, Lansing, Lynwood, La Grange, Lemont, Lockport, Munster, Palisades, Richton Park, Riverdale, Romeoville, Sauk Village, South Shore, South Chicago, Westmont, Whiting, Willowbrook and Woodridge.