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PROSTATE CANCER STATS
Jacksonville Proton Therapy Resource Center. In 2025 approximately 313,780 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, making it one of the most common cancer in the United States. With improvements in PSA screening and recent advances in non-surgical treatment, men experience an incredible treatment success rate (Ten Year Outcome) of this disease and still maintain an excellent quality of life. Our recent long-term studies have shown that at 10 years, more than 98% of men with early-stage prostate cancer can be successfully treated (Ten Year Outcome) with a simple one-time out-patient prostate seed implant (brachytherapy), results far superior to proton beam radiation, robotic surgery, and other treatment modalities.
What is Proton Therapy?
Proton Therapy, a radiation method from the 1950s, differs from conventional photon-based treatments like IGRT by utilizing protons, a distinct type of radioactive particle. Though relatively new to North Florida, it has garnered interest among some men seeking comparisons with more unique, more precise treatments like Prostate Seed Implants and IMRT-IGRT.
A substantial study published in April 2012 in the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed outcomes of 12,000 prostate cancer patients treated with radiation in the US. The findings emphasized IMRT as associated with the most favorable results. Proton therapy exhibited 31% higher gastrointestinal toxicity compared to IMRT, without evident benefits over other modalities (JAMA 2012).
Seed implants and IGRT have undergone extensive scrutiny across hundreds of scientific papers, showcasing excellent 15-year outcomes. In contrast, despite 50 years of proton use, there’s a stark lack of published data on cure rates and complications. No studies report outcomes beyond five years post-proton treatment, which is critical for men with longer life expectancies.
Proton Studies And reviews
A comprehensive review of published studies on proton beam radiation highlights 20-40% higher cancer recurrence rates, elevated risks of long-term complications, and potential heightened susceptibility to new cancers compared to seed implants. Additionally, proton therapy demands nine weeks of daily treatment, costs upwards of $120,000, and often lacks insurance coverage.
Even at esteemed institutions like Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital, a recent analysis it was revealed that proton treatment delivered higher radiation doses to normal tissues around the prostate compared to IMRT (Trofimov et al IJROBP 2007). Consequently, their preference now leans toward seed implants or IMRT for prostate cancer treatment instead of protons.
For these reasons, most prominent cancer centers globally opt not to pursue proton beam technology due to its inferior effectiveness. Instead, they concentrate on more innovative and successful programs like seed implants and IMRT-IGRT for optimal prostate cancer treatment.
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Mitchell Terk, MD
Radiation Oncologist
2025
Mitchell Terk, MD: Jacksonville Magazine – Named Top Doctor 2025
Mitchell Terk, MD: America’s Most Honored Doctors 2025 – Top 5%
Mitchell Terk, MD: Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – Top 7% 2025
2024
Mitchell Terk, MD: Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – 2024
Jamie Cesaretti, MD
Radiation Oncologist
2025
Jamie Cesaretti MD: Jacksonville Magazine – Named Top Doctor 2025
Dr. Jamie Cesaretti: America’s Most Honored Doctors 2025 – Top 1%
Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – Top 7% 2025
2024
Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – 2024
Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded America’s Most Honored Doctors 2024 – Top 5%
A recent study conducted at Loma Linda, California, the largest proton center in the country, examined 1,225 prostate cancer cases treated with proton therapy. The findings revealed a mere 73% success rate at five years, dropping to a concerning 43% for high-risk cases (Slater, 2004). Regrettably, there’s a lack of studies investigating outcomes beyond five years post proton beam treatment. In contrast, our recent long-term study demonstrates impressive results: a 95% success rate at ten years for intermediate-risk cases and 83% for high-risk cases using seed implants (Terk 2009).
By placing seeds directly into the prostate, we can administer higher doses of radiation to the cancerous cells, resulting in a significantly higher Biologically Effective Dose (BED). This increased BED of 20-50% observed with seed implants translates to more effective cancer eradication. These implants concentrate radiation precisely within the prostate while minimizing exposure to surrounding areas, optimizing treatment efficacy.
* The cancer-killing power of different types of radiation is measured by the B.E.D. (Biological Effective Dose). * Brachytherapy (prostate seed implant) (seed implants), with or without supplemental low dose IGRT, provide the highest B.E.D.
Proton Radiation – Increased Side Effects
Will I have fewer long-term side effects with a seed implant?
Absolutely! With high-dose proton beam radiation administered externally, the radiation penetrates the body from the outside, traversing organs such as the bladder, rectum, and hips before reaching the prostate. This traversal causes significantly higher side effects compared to seed implants. A study conducted at a prominent proton facility revealed that after proton radiation, 41% of men experienced long-term rectal bleeding, while 47% reported enduring bleeding during urination (Gardner, 2002). Long-term incontinence rates following proton radiation remain undisclosed.
In stark contrast, long-term side effects are exceedingly rare with seed implants. Employing an intra-operative dosimetry technique, the probability of seeds migrating beyond the prostate is less than 0.4%. Urinary incontinence affects less than 1% of men post-seed implantation, and severe urinary problems are also exceptionally uncommon (Zelefsky, 2007).
Will seed implants allow for improved preservation of my erectile function?
YES – Seed implants offer the highest rates of preserving erectile function. Placing the seeds within the prostate minimizes the impact on the nerves responsible for erections. Research indicates that up to 90% of men retain their erectile function following a seed implant procedure (Cesaretti, 2007). Evaluating erectile function post-proton beam radiation has not been conducted. However, proton radiation indiscriminately affects areas outside the prostate housing the nerves, potentially resulting in significantly higher rates of impotence.
2025
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Dr. Mitchell Terk Awarded Jacksonville Magazine – Named Top Doctor 2025
2025
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Dr. Mitchell Terk Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – Top 7% 2025s
2025
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Mitchell Terk, MD: America’s Most Honored Doctors 2025 – Top 5%
2024
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Dr. Mitchell Terk Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – 2024
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2025
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Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded Jacksonville Magazine – Named Top Doctor 2025
LEARN MORE
2025
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Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – Top 7% 2025 LEARN MORE
2025
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Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded America’s Most Honored Doctors 2025 – Top 1% LEARN MORE
2024
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Dr. Jamie Cesaretti Awarded Castle Connolly Top Doctors – 2024
LEARN MORE
2024
CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW
America’s Most Honored Doctors 2024 – Top 5%
