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2012 was an exciting year for the Abramson Cancer Center. We are featuring blogs featured on the Focus On Cancer blog that highlight cancer treatment breakthroughs, coping tips and ideas, education and inspiration. Today, we are highlighting Bill Barbour, a prostate cancer survivor that had proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine.

Always active, Bill didn’t let treatment for prostate cancer slow down his life, or his participation in his favorite activity, cycling. Bill chose to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn in February, 2012, and today he is cancer free.

Watch Bill tell his story about before and after cancer treatment.

Prostate Cancer Treatment with Proton Therapy at Penn

Bill Barbour, 63, of New York, is an avid cyclist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2011. Always active, he wasn’t ready to let treatment for prostate cancer slow down his life, or his participation in his favorite activity, cycling. Bill chose to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn in February, 2012, and today he is cancer-free, and looking forward to riding with the Abramson Cancer Center cycling team in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG challenge this August.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2011. Last fall when my doctor recommended I start to consider treatment options for my prostate cancer, I immediately thought about the effects that the popular treatments for prostate cancer may have on my cycling. Cycling plays a significant role in my life, so I sought the advice from a fellow avid cyclist who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer. He related that he wasn’t able to ride for an extended period after his treatment.

My thoughts turned to the negative impact that such a layoff from cycling would have on my physical conditioning. It takes top physical conditioning to ride the distances needed for my frequent group rides and for my daily commute to work. I wanted a treatment option for prostate cancer that would minimize any reduction of my cycling activity, and I began researching various treatments for prostate cancer.

Learning About Proton Therapy

I quickly learned about proton therapy for prostate cancer from the excellent book called You Can Beat Prostate Cancer by Robert Marckini. After reading it, and doing some more research on my own, I felt that proton therapy, was not only as an effective treatment for my prostate cancer, but it was also a treatment that would allow me to maintain my active lifestyle.

Proton treatment at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center within the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine in Philadelphia could not have worked out any better for me.

Through Hosts for Hospitals, I found a gracious family that opened their home in Philadelphia for me during my 8 weeks of proton therapy treatments. I acquired a bike and I was able to ride from my host’s home to my proton therapy sessions at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center in Philadelphia. Thanks to laptop computers and the internet, I was even able to bring my work with me, and never missed a beat.

Not only did proton therapy allow me to avoid a lengthy post-surgery layoff from cycling, I was able to regularly include cycling, something so important to me and my lifestyle, in my routine while undergoing my treatment.

During each ride I realized how fortunate I was to have gone from the prospect of not being able to sit on a bike seat to having the best seat in the house. I rode the scenic Schuykill River Trail, and I never tired of the great views of center city from the South Street Bridge.

Every pedal stroke reminded me that we are truly living in the age of advanced medicine and how important it is for those facing a potentially lifestyle altering treatment decision to consider proton therapy for prostate cancer.

Cancer Information From a Reliable Source

Thank you for a fantastic 2012. The Focus On Cancer blog is committed to provide people with cancer and their caregivers educated information from a reliable source, the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. Please subscribe to our blog to get updates about new cancer treatments at Penn, credible information from cancer experts at Penn, and inspiration from other people with cancer.

2012 was an exciting year for the Abramson Cancer Center. We are featuring blogs featured on the Focus On Cancer blog that highlight cancer treatment breakthroughs, coping tips and ideas, education and inspiration. Today, we are discussing new treatments for lung cancer including proton therapy for lung cancer.

"At Penn, we care about the total patient experience,” says John Kucharczuk, MD. “We know that for most people, the diagnosis of lung cancer is their first experience with this disease. As doctors, we need to recognize what that means to people, understand their anxiety level.”

New Treatments for Lung Cancer at Penn

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses new treatments in radiation and proton therapies for lung cancer patients. 


"At Penn, we care about the total patient experience,” says John Kucharczuk, MD. “ We know that for most people, the diagnosis of lung cancer is their first experience with this disease. As doctors, we need to recognize what that means to people, understand their anxiety level.”

Surgery for Lung Cancer

At Penn, the highest quality of surgical care for lung cancer encompasses understanding what it means to have this disease and undergo treatment. Penn has one of the largest divisions of thoracic surgery in the country, one that includes a dedicated surgical unit staffed with nurses who care only for patients who have undergone this kind of surgery.

Surgeons work as a team with experts from other disciplines to assure optimal care for every patient, and are leaders in developing new technologies and approaches that minimize the invasiveness of surgery, while maximizing the therapeutic effect. These include innovative approaches to lung sparing surgery, robotic platforms and the use of photosensitizers to improve local control of tumors.

Skill and technology are critical, but underlying the Penn program is an active commitment to preserving quality of life for patients. To Dr. Kucharczuk and his team, that involves engaging with each patient to understand what quality of life means to that person, and working to tailor the treatment to the individual.

Radiation and Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

"Lung cancer treatment is a 'team sport.' We see ourselves as a group of physicians who have the privilege of caring for you. Effective treatment is truly a partnership with our patients." Ramesh Rengan, MD.

For many lung cancer patients, radiation therapy is an important part of their treatment. Penn offers a number of options to patients with most kinds and stages of lung cancer. These include:

• Conventional radiation therapy utilizing 3-D imaging and IMRT
• Protons
• Stereotactic body radiation

Charles Simone, MD, emphasized that there are two major components in delivering effective radiation therapy to lung cancer patients.

• Where is the cancer? This means locating the tumor as precisely as possible. Penn is one of the few centers that has integrated PET scanning and metabolic evaluation of tumors into this process.
• How do we target the cancer? This means getting as much of the radiation dose to the tumor while sparing normal tissue.

The exact type of radiation used depends on the patient--the kind and extent of the cancer, and the overall health or other conditions that might exist. Newer options, such as stereotactic body radiation are making it possible to treat older, sicker or more advanced patients.

Proton therapy is another option for patients with locally advanced lung cancers, the most common diagnosis. Penn is one of only eight centers in the United States that offers proton therapy--a technique that allows more precise, targeted delivery of radiation to the tumor. Protons have the potential to reduce side effects from therapy while being equally effective in treating the cancer.

See all the presentations from the Focus On Lung Cancer Conference here. 

Cancer Information From a Reliable Source

Thank you for a fantastic 2012. The Focus On Cancer blog is committed to provide people with cancer and their caregivers educated information from a reliable source, the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. Please subscribe to our blog to get updates about new cancer treatments at Penn, credible information from cancer experts at Penn, and inspiration from other people with cancer.

2012 was an exciting year for the Abramson Cancer Center. We are featuring blogs featured on the Focus On Cancer blog that highlight cancer treatment breakthroughs, coping tips and ideas, education and inspiration. Today, we are highlighting the brain cancer treatment at Penn.

There are new treatments for brain cancer at Penn. In this article, writer and cancer survivor Chris Wilson discusses new treatments in surgery, radiation and targeted therapies for brain cancer.

New Treatments for Brain Cancer

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Brain Cancer Conference:
Discovery to Recovery. In this blog, she discusses treatments for brain cancer.

Neurosurgery:  The Crux of Treatment for Brain Cancer

"The neurosurgeon's goal is take out as much of the tumor as possible safely, " says Steven Brem, MD, conference chair, and director of neurosurgical oncology.

"Personalized medicine has become something of a buzz work in medicine, but it is true for brain cancer patients,” says  Donald O'Rourke, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery.

Penn neurosurgeons are using improved imaging techniques for "neuronavigation."  This approach provides real-time, 3D views for the surgeon as he operates - allowing for maximum safe resection of the tumor and avoiding normal tissue.  This is particularly crucial in preserving language function and motor skills.

Radiation Therapy:  The Full Spectrum of Options

"Penn has the largest, most advanced proton facility in the world, one of only 10 in the United States.  We also have the unique advantage of having all of our radiation facilities integrated under one roof, "
Robert Lustig, MD, professor of radiation oncology.

Radiation therapy plays a key role in the treatment of most brain cancers.  Penn offers the full range of treatment modalities including one of only 10 proton facilities in the country.  Patients often are unsure of the relative benefits or indications for different kinds of radiation therapy, for example, protons vs. the gamma or cyber knife. 

Radiation therapy treatment decisions for brain tumors are highly individualized and need to be made in the context of multidisciplinary planning.

Briefly stated, protons:

• Are more precise than conventional radiation therapy and do less damage to normal tissue
• Reduce side effects both short and long term 
• Deliver slightly more radiation to the tumor on a dose by dose basis
• Are effective in treating tumors near sensitive structures such as the spinal cord
• Can be used to "retreat" some patients with brain cancers

Dr. Lustig noted that Penn is now conducting clinical trials using protons for high-grade glioblastomas, grade III astrocytomas and pituitary adenomas, and will participate in an NCI-RTOG national study on protons for glioblastomas expected to begin soon.

He also noted that many patients encounter insurance issues in trying to get approval for proton therapy, although Medicare pays for most indications.

Stereotactic radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife® is another option for treating brain cancers.  Michelle Alonso-Basanta, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology, explained that the original Gamma Knife was not designed to treat cancers, but that advances in technology and technique have made this a useful therapy for some patients with brain cancers.

"As with protons," she says, "we can deliver a very high dose of radiation to the target with little or no exposure of normal tissue to the radiation.  And, as with protons, the decision as to who will benefit from this approach is very individual."

Both stereotactic radiosurgery and protons offer the possibility of retreatment for patients who have undergone a previous course of radiation therapy and whose tumors have recurred.  In the past, these patients were not eligible for additional radiation therapy. 

Targeted Therapies: Changing Cancer Treatment

Penn Medicine has been a leader in immunotherapy research and in developing targeted vaccines for cancer for many years.  Bruce Levine, PhD, facility director, clinical cell and vaccine production facility describes work currently underway that involves activating T-cells, one of the mainstays of the body's defense system, to fight cancers. 

"If I could design T-cells to fight cancer," he says, "they would be potent, have a good memory, be persistent and numerous."

A new approach, developed at Penn, known as CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy promises to be all of those things.  CAR uses a complex process to remove cells from the patients and own body and activate them to attack the tumor.  Penn is now in the process of developing clinical trials that will study the effects of CAR T cell therapy on glioblastomas with the EGRF v III mutation.

That mutation is the focus of work aimed at improving brain cancer treatment using chemotherapy as well.  Arati Desai, MD, MAS, is using bevacizumab (Avastin), a drug that inhibits blood vessel formation, in combination with another drug in patients with recurrent glioblastomas.  Phase II studies have demonstrated improved response rates and survival, although Desai acknowledges that some controversy exists about what those responses mean in terms of actual survival times.

Other clinical trials are aimed at attacking cancer cells from both the inside of the cell and the outside.

These include approaches using

• Immunotherapy
• Combinations of drugs that target multiple pathways
• Drugs that affect the environment around the tumor
• Drugs that block the critical M Tors pathway
• Drugs that target factors known to influence prognosis, such IDH1 and MGMT

"There isn't going to be a single drug or agent that is going to work for everyone," says Desai.  "It's not going to be the same answer for every patient."

Cancer Information From a Reliable Source

Thank you for a fantastic 2012. The Focus On Cancer blog is committed to provide people with cancer and their caregivers educated information from a reliable source, the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. Please subscribe to our blog to get updates about new cancer treatments at Penn, credible information from cancer experts at Penn, and inspiration from other people with cancer.

Kathy Brandt was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 2011 at her local hospital. After much research, and a recommendation from her brother-in-law, who is a physician, Kathy chose Penn Medicine for her lung cancer treatment, which included proton therapy. Today, Kathy is cancer free. 

Watch Kathy Brandt, a patient alum, tell her story about proton therapy for lung cancer. 

You hear the words cancer and it's truly terrifying.

It was basically just a checkup with my pulmonologist because I have emphysema. He sent me for a chest X-ray and that is when they found the tumor in my lung.

It was a terrifying time and thankfully I had strong family surrounding me - strong family helping me make decisions about what kind of treatment I should have.

After that initial diagnosis, when you feel like you have been hit with a ton of bricks, then the decision needs to be made where you are going to seek treatment. My brother-in-law, who is a physician, along with my pulmonologist suggested I go to Penn Medicine for treatment.

Penn Medicine was a wonderful choice for us. They used a team approach. I saw an oncologist, I saw a surgeon, and the radiologist is all located at Penn Medicine. It was very comforting to know that all these people are just working to take care of you and to make you better.

I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at the end of June. My surgery was the beginning of August and chemo started in September. It was finished in November. I started proton therapy for lung cancer in December, which lasted for 4 weeks.

Deciding to Have Proton Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

I decided to go with the proton radiation because of the cancer’s proximity to my heart and spine. I chose proton therapy because I knew it would be more precise and would have less side effects and that was very important to me.

The Proton Therapy Experience

Every day, I would leave work, come home, and my husband would take me to Penn for proton therapy. After the treatment, we’d go home and I’d spend time with my grandchildren and their parents, who were living with us at the time. My granddaughter was about 3 months old at the time. And I would take her, feed her, and just spend time with the people that meant the most to me.

I really felt wonderful. I continued to work the whole time I had proton therapy – I never missed a day of work, actually. I was a bit more tired than usual, but that was really the only side effect I felt.

When I completed proton therapy, I rang the bell. Everybody in the waiting room clapped, and we went home and I think I had a very big glass of wine after treatment was finished.

After Proton Therapy

Today, I don’t sweat the small stuff.

I would tell anyone to feel very comfortable going to Penn Medicine, and I would tell anyone to also feel very comfortable in choosing proton therapy simply because of the fewer side effects and its extreme precision. I would recommend Penn Medicine wholeheartedly. I cannot say enough good things about my experience.

Learn More About Proton Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Penn Medicine

Proton therapy is a non-invasive, incredibly precise cancer treatment that uses a beam of protons moving at very high speeds to destroy the DNA of cancer cells killing them and preventing them from multiplying.

Unlike conventional radiation that can affect surrounding healthy tissue as it enters the body and targets the tumor, proton therapy’s precise, high dose of radiation is extremely targeted. This targeted precision causes less damage to healthy, surrounding tissue.

Learn more about proton therapy, or schedule a consultation with a radiation oncologist at Penn Medicine.

Watch the full video of Kathy's experience here. 

Christine Wilson, cancer survivor, shares her experiences from the Abramson Cancer Center’s 2012- Focus on Lung Cancer Conference. In this blog, she discusses new treatments in radiation and proton therapies for lung cancer patients. 


"At Penn, we care about the total patient experience,” says John Kucharczuk, MD. “ We know that for most people, the diagnosis of lung cancer is their first experience with this disease. As doctors, we need to recognize what that means to people, understand their anxiety level.”

Surgery for Lung Cancer

At Penn, the highest quality of surgical care for lung cancer encompasses understanding what it means to have this disease and undergo treatment. Penn has one of the largest divisions of thoracic surgery in the country, one that includes a dedicated surgical unit staffed with nurses who care only for patients who have undergone this kind of surgery.

Surgeons work as a team with experts from other disciplines to assure optimal care for every patient, and are leaders in developing new technologies and approaches that minimize the invasiveness of surgery, while maximizing the therapeutic effect. These include innovative approaches to lung sparing surgery, robotic platforms and the use of photosensitizers to improve local control of tumors.

Skill and technology are critical, but underlying the Penn program is an active commitment to preserving quality of life for patients. To Dr. Kucharczuk and his team, that involves engaging with each patient to understand what quality of life means to that person, and working to tailor the treatment to the individual.

Radiation and Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

"Lung cancer treatment is a 'team sport.' We see ourselves as a group of physicians who have the privilege of caring for you. Effective treatment is truly a partnership with our patients." Ramesh Rengan, MD.

For many lung cancer patients, radiation therapy is an important part of their treatment. Penn offers a number of options to patients with most kinds and stages of lung cancer. These include:

• Conventional radiation therapy utilizing 3-D imaging and IMRT
• Protons
• Stereotactic body radiation

Charles Simone, MD, emphasized that there are two major components in delivering effective radiation therapy to lung cancer patients.

• Where is the cancer? This means locating the tumor as precisely as possible. Penn is one of the few centers that has integrated PET scanning and metabolic evaluation of tumors into this process.
• How do we target the cancer? This means getting as much of the radiation dose to the tumor while sparing normal tissue.

The exact type of radiation used depends on the patient--the kind and extent of the cancer, and the overall health or other conditions that might exist. Newer options, such as stereotactic body radiation are making it possible to treat older, sicker or more advanced patients.

Proton therapy is another option for patients with locally advanced lung cancers, the most common diagnosis. Penn is one of only eight centers in the United States that offers proton therapy--a technique that allows more precise, targeted delivery of radiation to the tumor. Protons have the potential to reduce side effects from therapy while being equally effective in treating the cancer.

See all the presentations from the Focus On Lung Cancer Conference here. 

Today is the one-year anniversary of my initial proton therapy consultation visit at Penn Medicine. This time last year I was nearing the Thanksgiving holiday with a guarded hopefulness. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in May, it was time to get moving on a treatment and I wanted to learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine.

I was guarded because there were some hurdles to clear. Wanting to have proton therapy and being a good candidate for the treatment are two different things. After my consultation I needed to undergo testing and evaluation to find out if I was a good fit for treatment. I would also need insurance approval.

To complicate everything, I did not live in Philadelphia. Being in New York, I was still 180 miles away, which made a daily commute out of the question. I would need to commute weekly but where was I to stay? Could I afford it? Would I be able to continue working to support my family back home?

The answers to those questions gradually and wonderfully unfolded between Thanksgiving and December holidays last year. I remember thinking that it would be understandable for me to be depressed during the holidays. However, it turned out to be my best holiday season ever as I anticipated starting my proton therapy in the New Year.

On this anniversary I find myself in Philadelphia again for volunteer work, and it has provided me with the time and perspective to consider all that I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I live in America, and that I am fortunate enough to have a job when so many aren’t working. But there is much more for me to be thankful for this time.

Last year I was thankful for the hope to have a chance to survive. This year I am thankful for my post-treatment outcome.

Today, I am disease-free, and my PSA is continuing its downward trend.

I have experienced very minimal effects of proton therapy– almost not worth mentioning. I am forever thankful to many people, without which, my survival could have not happened.

I dedicate this writing to those that helped me get to this anniversary and I owe each of them an un-repayable debt of gratitude. I hope to honor each one as I attempt to pay my debt forward through helping others that may find themselves in a similar position to mine a year ago.

I wish everyone their best Thanksgiving ever.

My special thanks to:

• My wife and 4 terrific children for allowing me to travel to Philadelphia for 2 months
• My personal physician for lighting the fire to move my tail (pun intended) and get treatment
• My employer for allowing me the flexibility to travel to Philadelphia for my treatment
• Bob Marckini for blazing a well-marked trail for other prostate cancer patients to follow
• My radiation oncologist for his professional, personal care and medical know-how
• My Host for Hospitals family – my second family - including their puppy
• My proton therapists (Proton 2 and 4!) – you guys are the best of the best! Gold medal!
• The nursing staff – you run an efficient operation, but always take time to deliver personal care
• The reception staff – nothing happens without you – you are the first smiles of the day
• My fellow Penn Medicine patients – we had a good time didn’t we? Well didn’t we?
• The Penn Medicine volunteers – you guys do so much and mean so much to us

When Frank McKee was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to find the best possible treatment to fight his disease. Frank did extensive research about prostate cancer treatments and learned about proton therapy for prostate cancer, the world’s most advanced form of radiation therapy.

"For me, I wanted to treat the cancer. I wanted to be done with it," Frank said. "And, I wanted to be done with it in a way that had a minimum amount of side effects and affect my life the least."

"That’s why I picked proton therapy."

In this video, Frank discusses his diagnosis, and why he chose proton therapy at Penn Medicine.



Learn more about prostate cancer treatment at Penn including proton therapy for prostate cancer. 

Bill Barbour LIVESTRONG Challenge, 2012

Bill Barbour, 64, of New York, is an avid cyclist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2011. Always active, Bill didn’t let treatment for prostate cancer slow down his life, or his participation in his favorite activity, cycling. Bill chose to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn in February, 2012, and today he is cancer free. Bill recently completed riding for the Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center cycling team in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG challenge.

Watch Bill tell his story about before and after cancer treatment.

Dear New Prostate Cancer Patient:

I know that you must be in shock now and that your immediate reaction is to have your cancer removed just as soon as possible.  That was my reaction back in May, 2011. 

You may be aware that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men, which creates an even greater sense of urgency for you and your family members.

I am here to tell you to breathe.

I would have undergone treatment - any treatment - the very next day after my diagnosis, if it was possible.  I live in New York and I thought about getting the same treatment that the former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, underwent.  Maybe I could try the same treatment as former manager of the NY Yankees, Joe Torre?  Both of them are well now.       

My doctor calmly told me that while indeed my diagnosis was a serious matter, it wasn’t the immediate emergency that I created in my mind.  He explained some of the treatment strategies to me and asked me to return in a few months for a check up. I was still in shock, but the good news was that we had detected it early and I had no symptoms.

Having time to collect my thoughts was the best thing that could have happened, and I would advise you to do the same. Regardless if you have days, weeks or months to make a decision about your treatment, it’s so important to breathe. Collect your thoughts. Allow yourself time to deal with this new diagnosis.  

During the summer of 2011, I immersed myself in my favorite activity, which is cycling.  I realized that I was already a “survivor” in that I was now living with cancer.  I forgot about the cancer on most days.

When I did think about prostate cancer, I felt a great comfort in thinking of myself as a survivor.  I began thinking in terms of my “survivorship” and what I wanted my life to be like after my prostate cancer treatment.   I immediately thought of our cherished family bike outings. I also wanted to
continue my cycling in as normal a manner as possible.

I sorted through the many treatment methods available and concluded that most of them could give me a good chance at becoming cancer free.  But which method was for me?  I found that each method varies in the changes made to one’s body.  This was the most important insight that I needed to choose a treatment that matched my own vision of survivorship.  For me, that was proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine.

I conferred with a number of former prostate cancer patients who willingly and candidly shared their treatment experiences with me.  As I made my treatment decision, I realized that it would have been a huge mistake for me to copy either Rudy Giuliani’s or Joe Torre’s treatment choice as I originally considered doing months before. 

I am writing this for you as it is now my turn to help.  I want you to know you can shape your own treatment decision by laying claim to your survivorship now. Learn all you can about your treatment options before you make any decisions. That knowledge will help you immensely in following the signposts to living your life after prostate cancer.

Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer in Philadelphia, or connect with others who’ve had proton therapy at Penn on Facebook.

Bill Barbour, 63, of New York, is an avid cyclist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2011. Always active, he wasn’t ready to let treatment for prostate cancer slow down his life, or his participation in his favorite activity, cycling. Bill chose to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn in February, 2012, and today he is cancer-free, and looking forward to riding with the Abramson Cancer Center cycling team in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG challenge this August.

Watch Bill tell his story about before and after cancer treatment.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May, 2011. Last fall when my doctor recommended I start to consider treatment options for my prostate cancer, I immediately thought about the effects that the popular treatments for prostate cancer may have on my cycling. Cycling plays a significant role in my life, so I sought the advice from a fellow avid cyclist who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer. He related that he wasn’t able to ride for an extended period after his treatment.

My thoughts turned to the negative impact that such a layoff from cycling would have on my physical conditioning. It takes top physical conditioning to ride the distances needed for my frequent group rides and for my daily commute to work. I wanted a treatment option for prostate cancer that would minimize any reduction of my cycling activity, and I began researching various treatments for prostate cancer.

I quickly learned about proton therapy for prostate cancer from the excellent book called You Can Beat Prostate Cancer by Robert Marckini. After reading it, and doing some more research on my own, I felt that proton therapy, was not only as an effective treatment for my prostate cancer, but it was also a treatment that would allow me to maintain my active lifestyle.

Proton treatment at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center within the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine in Philadelphia could not have worked out any better for me.

Through Hosts for Hospitals, I found a gracious family that opened their home in Philadelphia for me during my 8 weeks of proton therapy treatments. I acquired a bike and I was able to ride from my host’s home to my proton therapy sessions at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center in Philadelphia. Thanks to laptop computers and the internet, I was even able to bring my work with me, and never missed a beat.

Not only did proton therapy allow me to avoid a lengthy post-surgery layoff from cycling, I was able to regularly include cycling, something so important to me and my lifestyle, in my routine while undergoing my treatment.

During each ride I realized how fortunate I was to have gone from the prospect of not being able to sit on a bike seat to having the best seat in the house. I rode the scenic Schuykill River Trail, and I never tired of the great views of center city from the South Street Bridge.

Every pedal stroke reminded me that we are truly living in the age of advanced medicine and how important it is for those facing a potentially lifestyle altering treatment decision to consider proton therapy for prostate cancer.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Penn Medicine is one of only 10 centers in the United States to offer proton therapy.

Proton therapy treats prostate cancer with external beam radiotherapy in which protons are directed at a tumor. The radiation dose that is given through proton therapy is very precise, and limits the exposure of radiation to normal tissues. This reduced exposure leads to the possibility of decreased toxicity, side effects and complications for patients.

Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer in Philadelphia, and how proton therapy offers potentially less side effects for men with prostate cancer.

Frank Jr., and his dad.

In 2010, Frank McKee was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He chose to have proton therapy at Penn Medicine for prostate cancer, and today, lives a full life with his family and friends. In this blog post, his son, Frank McKee, Jr., talks about what it was like to watch his father overcome prostate cancer with proton therapy treatment at Penn.

I’ll never forget the moment my dad told me he had prostate cancer. I was leaving work, getting ready to get in my car when he called. There was something ominous about his voice that told me I shouldn’t start the car – that I was about to hear some news that would affect me deeply.

He told me he had prostate cancer, and that it was found very early. He sounded calm and collected as he told me he was researching treatments for prostate cancer and had a good chance of overcoming cancer.

Despite his optimism, my heart began to sink. His diagnosis would forever change my world.

Choosing Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer

My dad was very confident, and after meeting with Stephen Hahn, MD, he chose Penn Medicine for proton therapy. I was confident in Penn Medicine, and was ready to be there for him to support him every step of the way.

Except, he really didn’t need it! He’d drive himself to receive proton therapy treatments nearly every day – rarely accepting an offer for a ride from me or my family. He went to work everyday too. His treatment made him a little tired, but it was nothing that stopped him from his daily routine.

His life didn’t have to stop just because he had prostate cancer.

As a son watching his father go through cancer treatment, it was challenging to be strong for him. He made it easier though, because he had a great spirit about him and was always very optimistic.

At his last treatment, our entire family came with him to celebrate with noisemakers and signs. It was a great feeling to see him at the finish line.

He finished proton therapy for prostate cancer, and today, I’d say his experience changed him for the better. He is living his life to the fullest, and has adopted a healthy lifestyle.

This Father’s Day – and every Father’s Day since his diagnosis, will be filled with gratitude.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Penn Medicine is one of only 10 centers in the United States to offer proton therapy. Proton therapy treats prostate cancer with external beam radiotherapy in which protons are directed at a tumor. The radiation dose that is given through proton therapy is very precise, and limits the exposure of radiation to normal tissues. This reduced exposure leads to the possibility of decreased toxicity, side effects and complications for patients.

Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer, and how proton therapy offers potentially less side effects for men with prostate cancer.

Robert Lustig, MD, is professor of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, prostate cancer survivor and proton beam therapy patient. At Penn, Dr. Lustig was able to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at the Abramson Cancer Center. In this blog, he discusses his diagnosis, and how difficult it was to tell his kids he had cancer.

A few years ago I went to the urologist for a problem unrelated to my prostate. I was not at all concerned about prostate cancer as my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was less than 1.

While my presenting problem was minor, the urologist felt a scar on my prostate and recommended a biopsy. Two days after the biopsy, I read the diagnosis, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).

PIN can be a precursor of prostate cancer or may actually regress spontaneously. Six months later, a repeat biopsy confirmed my prostate was normal, and I let out a great sigh of relief.

I continued to monitor my PSA, which increased slightly but remained below 1. Two years later at a follow-up appointment, my urologist recommend a repeat biopsy, as some of the newest data recommended a repeat biopsy to confirm there was no malignancy.

I expected the third biopsy to be normal, but instead, I learned I had prostate cancer.

I checked to see that it was my report, and I read it again.

Now, how to tell my family?

My wife is a social worker in the medical field and has spent many years working with cancer patients, so telling her my diagnosis and discussing my feelings was easy. But how do I tell my children? How would they feel? How scared would they be? Their father’s mortality would suddenly jump out at them. My wife and I spent some time talking about how to tell the children.

I have two daughters, and at the time they were 27 and 33.

My youngest came home for a family discussion, and I explained to her that I had a low grade prostate cancer diagnosed at a very early stage with a very high rate of cure. I told her I would be receiving proton beam therapy at Penn, and I did not expect to miss a day of work. I assured her I would be around for a long time.

While I do not believe in keeping health secrets, the three of us agreed not to tell my eldest daughter as she was due with her first child in less than a month. This health secret was only temporary and absolutely necessary.

About a month after her delivery we again sat down as a family and told her that I would be treated for early stage prostate cancer. She obviously had similar concerns as my youngest but at least they could talk to each other.

Today, I am one year post proton beam radiation therapy for my prostate cancer.

My PSA is 0.28. I never missed a day of work.I still have the “what if the cancer comes back” thoughts, but less frequently.

Telling my children I had cancer was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do. Difficult situations occur in life. But they pass and life goes on.

Read more about Dr. Lustig’s story, and watch a video in which he discusses his experience with proton therapy at Penn Medicine. Get 10 tips for talking to kids about cancer.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Penn Medicine is one of only 10 centers in the United States to offer proton therapy. Proton therapy treats prostate cancer with external beam radiotherapy in which protons are directed at a tumor. The radiation dose that is given through proton therapy is very precise, and limits the exposure of radiation to normal tissues. This reduced exposure leads to the possibility of decreased toxicity, side effects and complications for patients.

Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer, and how proton therapy offers potentially less side effects for men with prostate cancer.

When Frank McKee was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to find the best possible treatment to fight his disease. Frank did extensive research about prostate cancer treatments and learned about proton therapy for prostate cancer, the world’s most advanced form of radiation therapy.

"For me, I wanted to treat the cancer. I wanted to be done with it," Frank said. "And, I wanted to be done with it in a way that had a minimum amount of side effects and affect my life the least."

"That’s why I picked proton therapy."

In this video, Frank discusses his diagnosis, and why he chose proton therapy at Penn Medicine.














Learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine

• Watch a patient talk about his experience with proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine. 
• Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer.
• Watch a webcast about proton therapy for prostate cancer.

Dennis Dobie received proton therapy for cancer at Penn.

Dennis Dobie of Cherry Hill, NJ, is a retired mechanical engineer and urethral cancer survivor. In this article, he shares the story of his diagnosis, and how proton therapy at Penn’s Roberts Proton Therapy Center and his faith helped save his life. 
 
After my wife Ginny and I returned from a vacation in 2009, I realized it was time to deal with some health problems I had been ignoring because I did not wish to miss this “bucket list” trip. I had some pain in my right side, had lost about ten pounds, and had a loss in appetite.

My family physician ordered an ultrasound, which revealed a mass in the right side of my abdomen. This was followed by many tests, biopsies and blood work that resulted in a diagnosis of uretheral transitional cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of cancer, which had spread outside the kidney.

It was at this point I knew I was in real trouble. My wife and I bonded closer than ever after 45 years of marriage and vowed to battle this cancer together.

First stop: The OR

Surgery to remove the tumor was my first course of treatment, but my local urologist was not confident undertaking this extremely complicated and difficult procedure. He referred me to a specialist in urologic cancer at Penn Medicine, whom I met and would ultimately perform my surgery.

Emails to family and friends sent by my wife resulted in great support in terms of numerous get-well cards, notes, phone calls, suggestions for care and ways to deal with treatment, and most importantly, prayers.

Going into surgery I was very calm until I entered the operating room; it was the largest operating room I had ever seen. It finally dawned on me that this was major surgery!

The surgery took longer than expected, as the cancer had spread extensively from the ureter into my kidney, abdominal and pelvic cavities. Because of its location, not all of the tumor could be removed. I was to begin chemotherapy six weeks after surgery to deal with the remaining tumor.

Next: Proton Therapy For Cancer

Chemotherapy had removed 90 percent of the remaining cancer, and I was to continue treatment with radiation therapy. I met with a brilliant radiation oncologist, Dr. John Christodouleas who prescribed for me a new type of treatment available at Penn – proton therapy.

The Roberts Proton Therapy Center had opened only eight months earlier. It’s the largest and most advanced facility in the world to offer proton beam therapy for cancer.

I was the first urethral cancer patient at Penn to receive this therapy whereby carefully directed proton (nucleus of a hydrogen atom) beams kill cancer with very little adjacent tissue and organs damage.

After seven weeks of daily treatment and six more chemotherapy treatments weekly in conjunction with my proton therapy, I was cancer-free.

We met so many wonderful caregivers at Penn and made many friends there. I often look back and thank God for putting me with the best clinicians, a great hospital, and support from friends and family.

Today, I enjoy writing a self-published book called Prayer, Penn Health and Pond Scum. In it, I discuss my battle with cancer and how Penn Medicine, prayer, proton therapy, and diet helped me heal.

Robert Lustig, MD, is professor of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, prostate cancer survivor and proton beam therapy patient.

At Penn, Dr. Lustig was able to have proton therapy for prostate cancer at the Abramson Cancer Center.

"I came in the morning, got on the table, had my treatment, and went back to work," recalls Dr. Lustig, who completed proton therapy for prostate cancer in June, 2011.

In this video, he discusses his diagnosis, and his choice to have proton therapy for prostate cancer.
















Diagnosed with prostate cancer? Learn how Penn's proton therapy for prostate cancer can help you.

Learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine

• Watch a patient talk about his experience with proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine. 
• Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer.
• Watch a webcast about proton therapy for prostate cancer.

Neha Vapiwala, MD, chief of the genitourinary service for Penn Radiation Oncology, discusses proton therapy for prostate cancer, available at Penn Medicine.

Proton therapy, available at Penn’s Roberts Proton Therapy Center, is an incredible new way to deliver targeted radiation therapy to many types of tumors, including prostate cancer.  Penn Medicine recently celebrated the second anniversary of the proton therapy center.

In this interview, Dr. Vapiwala discusses how specialists throughout Penn Medicine and Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, collaborate on developing innovative ways to enhance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary cancer through research and patient care.









Learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine

• Watch a patient talk about his experience with proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine. 
• Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer.
• Watch a webcast about proton therapy for prostate cancer.

Proton therapy is external beam radiotherapy in which protons are directed at a tumor. The radiation dose that is given through protons is very precise, and limits the exposure of normal tissues. This allows the radiation dose delivered to the tumor to be increased beyond conventional radiation doses. The result is a better chance for curing cancer with fewer harmful side effects.

Unlike X-rays, protons can be manipulated to release most of their energy only when they reach their target. With more energy reaching the cancerous cells, more damage is administered by each burst of radiation while sensitive, healthy lung tissue is better protected from the effects of radiation.

Ramesh Rengan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at Penn Medicine, evaluates the potential of proton therapy for lung cancer in this physician interview.

Listen to Dr. Rengan talk about the potential of treating lung cancer with proton therapy at Penn.

Neha Vapiwala, MD, chief of the genitourinary service for Penn Radiation Oncology, discusses proton therapy for prostate cancer, available at Penn Medicine.

Proton therapy, available at Penn’s Roberts Proton Therapy Center, is an incredible new way to deliver targeted radiation therapy to many types of tumors, including prostate cancer.  Penn Medicine recently celebrated the second anniversary of the proton therapy center.

In this interview, Dr. Vapiwala discusses how specialists throughout Penn Medicine and Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, collaborate on developing innovative ways to enhance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary cancer through research and patient care.







Learn more about proton therapy at Penn Medicine

• Watch a patient talk about his experience with proton therapy for prostate cancer at Penn Medicine. 
• Learn more about proton therapy for prostate cancer.
• Watch a webcast about proton therapy for prostate cancer.