Each year, around 3,300 men in Israel are diagnosed with prostate cancer—the most common cancer among men. If detected early, the chances of full recovery are high. Breakthrough therapies, developed by or employed at Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam), are improving life expectancy and quality of life for many patients.
The prostate is a small but sensitive gland surrounded by the urethra and nerves involved in sexual function. Hence, every treatment decision can have a profound effect on medical outcomes and quality of life. When prostate cancer is diagnosed, choosing the right treatment requires close guidance from an oncologist who is familiar with both established therapies and the newest innovations. This expertise helps tailor a plan that fits the tumor’s characteristics, the patient’s medical background, and personal needs.
“Medicine continues to advance, and today innovative treatments allow us to achieve better results while preserving our patients’ quality of life,” says Dr. Avivit Peer, oncologist, director of the Urinary Tract and Genital Tumors Clinic, and head of the Clinical Research Unit at Rambam.
To deliver personalized and effective care for prostate cancer, Rambam’s internationally recognized oncology team employs advanced treatment techniques—some of them introduced in Israel for the first time.
HDR Brachytherapy: A New Generation of Precision Radiation
High-dose rate radiation (HDR) brachytherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that offers a more advanced and precise form of treatment. A powerful radiation source is briefly inserted into the prostate and then removed within minutes, delivering highly targeted radiation without leaving radioactive material in the body. This method enables effective treatment with fewer limitations than low-dose rate radiation (LDR) brachytherapy.
“HDR brachytherapy can also benefit patients whose tumors extend beyond the prostate,” says Dr. Tomer Charas, head the Oncology Department, Deputy Director of the Oncology Institute, and Head of Genitourinary Oncology Services at Rambam's Joseph Fishman Oncology Center. “By concentrating radiation exactly where it's needed, we can reduce the risk to nearby organs and minimize side effects such as urinary difficulties, pain, and sexual dysfunction.”
A Protective Barrier
Since the rectum sits directly behind the prostate, radiation treatment can sometimes affect this area, leading to symptoms such as bleeding, diarrhea, discomfort, or pressure. To reduce this risk, Rambam—the only hospital in Israel to do so—employs a unique therapeutic technique that can also be combined with brachytherapy: “During a minimally invasive, painless procedure, we insert a protective barrier [spacer] between the prostate and the rectum," explains Dr. Charas. The protective spacer is customized to a patient’s unique anatomical characteristics, selecting the optimal material and configuration for maximum protection. He adds, "The patient may experience mild discomfort, but the technique improves the effectiveness of treatment and significantly minimizes side effects."
Alpha Radiation
In cases where conventional prostate radiation therapy is unsuccessful, Rambam has introduced a groundbreaking solution: radiation therapy based on alpha particles as part of a clinical study.
Alpha radiation—known for its exceptionally high tumor-killing effect—causes minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The therapy uses a unique material developed in Israel by a joint team of biologists and physicists from Tel Aviv University. This pioneering effort offers new hope to patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Rambam is the first medical center in the world to apply this technology to patients with prostate cancer after proven success in other cancers, including skin, liver, and pancreatic tumors.
Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Until recently, a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer carried a limited life expectancy. However, thanks to significant advances in treatment, patients are living longer with improved quality of life.
“I have been accompanying patients with metastatic prostate cancer for many years. Today, many are living far longer than before,” says Dr. Peer. “Our focus is increasingly on helping patients live well alongside the disease.”
“At Rambam, we are able to combine traditional therapies with innovative treatments that are tailored to the genetic and biological profile of each patient’s tumor. This personalized approach ensures that every treatment plan is as precise and effective as possible,” explains Dr. Peer. “Where needed, we can incorporate a specialized molecule with a radioactive component that finds and sticks to cancer cells, known as radioligands, to deliver focused radiation directly to the cancer cells. By targeting the cancer cells with such precision, radioligands enhance therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.”
Rambam provides a comprehensive range of advanced and innovative solutions for prostate cancer. Choosing the best approach requires consultation with an oncologist who can tailor a treatment plan for each patient, ensuring the best possible outcome.
Based on a Hebrew language article that first appeard on MyNett.
