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By Tom McIntyre

Story Published: Apr 24, 2008 at 9:47 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2008 at 10:41 PM CDT

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 186,300 men will develop prostate cancer this year.
There are more new cases of prostate cancer than breast cancer.

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More deaths as well.
Yet, prostate cancer remains a more hidden disease...men don't want to get examined for it, think about it, or talk about it.
But, News 25's Lee Ranson is talking about it.
Since he found out he had prostate cancer, he's allowed cameras to follow him through treatment.

Lee is being treated for his prostate cancer at Methodist Medical center.
He and his wife, Bev, meet with his physician, Dr. Roby Lal, to go over plans for his treatment.
Lee has chosen to treat his cancer with radiation, which holds the promise of being as effect as surgery, with fewer side effects.

"During the treatment, you're not going to hear anything, you're not going to feel anything. There's no pain".
What there will be is a lot of planning and measuring.
That's because Methodist's new Image–Guided radiation treatment uses higher levels of radiation than previous treatments.
It must be very precisely aimed at the prostate....and to do that multiple images of the target area are taken.
The TomoTherapy device then shoots radiation at the prostate from 360–degrees..
"And as the table translates through the torque of the machine, it's a spiral effect..."
"So you're getting it from every angle?"
"Every conceivable angle...and from every conceivable angle you're also sparing the normal tissue structure".
"And with this new image guidance approach, we're going to image that target—the prostate—every day," said Dr. Lal.
That's every day for the next two months. And, the doctor says, Lee will be feeling the side effects...fatigue among them....although those effects are less using the TomoTherapy machine.
What we're seeing is that the side effects come later in the treatment...weeks later...when the treatment is almost over.
If Dr. Lal seems enthusiastic about the device –he admits that's true.
"It's fun to have the big toys. But the rewarding thing, you see this on the news, is to bring this technology to the clinic. This is very rewarding as a scientists, as a clinician, a physician."

We'll continue to follow Lee through his treatment.
We have more information about prostate cancer at week.com.

View Oldest Comments First

Friday, Apr 25 at 3:51 PM Anna Maria Rogers wrote ...

Lee, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family. God bless.

Friday, Apr 25 at 9:35 AM The Snyder's wrote ...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Friday, Apr 25 at 8:39 AM debra wrote ...

my prayers and thoughts are with you

Friday, Apr 25 at 12:53 AM Jim Dinquel wrote ...

Well known native Peorian Dan Fogelberg died of prostate cancer in December. Since his disease was not detected in the early stages, it had spread far beyond hope for an easy recovery. Also, Dan did not have the luxury of these new developments in his treatment of this deadly cancer. My father had his prostate removed due to cancer several years ago. He is still alive and well today at age 81. I have been tested annually for several years. My prayers go out to Lee for a speedy recovery.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 11:11 PM Mike wrote ...

Wishing you the best Lee! Our thoughts & Prayers are with you!

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:34 PM Steve Garrison wrote ...

Good luck Lee. I went through prostate cancer surgery in March, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thursday, Apr 24 at 10:34 PM Ryan wrote ...

Good kuck Lee! You are in our thoughts and prayers!

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