Calypso® System for Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy Treatment

What is the Calypso System?

The Calypso System allows for real-time tracking of tumors during prostate cancer radiation therapy treatment.

We are currently offering this new technology at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, located in Berkeley, California, in the San Francisco East Bay area.

What is the Calypso real-time tracking for prostate cancer radiation therapy treatment?

The Calypso System helps doctors track the exact location of a prostate tumor DURING the actual radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

This is important because organs, like the prostate, commonly move during radiation therapy because of normal bodily functions, such as digestion.

By detecting the slightest movement, the Calypso system allows clinicians to reduce the size of the field being treated to deliver the maximum radiation dose to the prostate, while avoiding healthy tissue and organs.

By only targeting the prostate, the Calypso System reduces the common side effects of radiation therapy in prostate cancer treatment.

How does it work?

Calypso continuously tracks the position of the prostate using an innovative technology known as “GPS for the Body®.” This tracking technology is guided by three tiny Beacon® transponders — wireless devices that each are about the size of a grain of rice. The transponders transmit safe radiofrequency waves that provide sub-millimeter, real-time information about the position and movement of the prostate tumor.

How is it performed?

Before radiation therapy, the tiny transponders are implanted in the prostate through a quick outpatient procedure. During radiation therapy, the transponders monitor the movement and exact location of the prostate in real-time. If the prostate moves out of the radiation beam path, the Calypso System automatically pauses the radiation until the clinician has repositioned the patient to realign the targeted tissue with the radiation beam.

What are the key advantages?

The Calypso System offers several benefits because it allows clinicians to continually target the exact location of the prostate tumor during treatment:

• Lowers the risk of damage to healthy tissue and organs
• Delivers the full radiation dose to the tumor
• Significantly reduces side effects, such as bowel or rectal problems, sexual dysfunction, and urinary irritation or incontinence
• Provides a higher level of precision and efficiency, which decreases the treatment time

The Calypso System also supports expanded treatment protocols. These treatments are particularly influenced by organ motion because they require the delivery of large radiation doses in shorter amounts of time. The Calypso System provides continuous data about the tumor motion and location, ensuring that the prescribed dose of radiation is delivered only to the prostate.

Choose Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

You will be provided with the most advanced methods for the early detection and treatment of cancer by an exceptional team of clinical experts committed to treating you with the greatest skill, respect and compassion.

Through our Comprehensive Cancer Services, you will experience a complete continuum of technologically advanced cancer treatment – the latest in diagnostics, medical technology, research, education and psychological services all in the comfort of a community setting. Alta Bates Summit is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and Commission on Cancer.

To find a physician that utilizes the Calypso System in the treatment of prostate cancer, please call our Physician Health Match Referral Service at 510-869-6777.