The Princess Margaret “Transformers”

ROBERT KYLE: ‘I WANTED TO MAXIMIZE MY CHANCES FOR A CURE’ Robert Kyle survived a heart transplant in 2014, only to be diagnosed with prostate cancer one year later. Dr. Alejandro Berlin, Radiation Oncologist at The Princess Margaret, laid out Robert’s options. He recommended a clinical study to undergo MR- guided High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy in the MRgRT Suite, followed by a five-week course of external beam radiation. “Several large trials have shown this combined approach offers a better outcome than external beam radiotherapy alone in high-risk patients,” says Dr. Berlin. Robert didn’t hesitate. “I’ve probably got t-shirts older than Dr. Berlin, but he’s a really smart man. I told him that I wanted to maximize my chances for a cure,” says Robert. When he arrived for his procedure, he was greeted by Dr. Gerald O’Leary, Anesthesiologist-in-Chief at University Health Network, who had been a part of his heart transplant team and would again serve as his anesthesiologist. Robert’s health care team also included two other radiation oncologists, as well as several therapists specializing in radiation, MR imaging, and brachytherapy. “An extraordinary team, built around the MRgRT, allows us to offer this highly-demanding, aggressive type of treatment to patients who might otherwise have to undergo more conservative treatment,” says Dr. Berlin. Robert’s brachytherapy procedure started in the morning, and by noon he was in the recovery room. He experienced no significant side effects and was able to go home the same day. After four days of recovery, Robert began a five- week course of external beam radiation treatment and later, hormonal injections for a year. This cutting-edge technology is not only saving lives now, but also allows our scientists to advance research that will change the future of prostate radiotherapy and brachytherapy. The High-Dose Rate (HDR) unit involves placing needles or catheters into the tumour, then pushing a small ball of highly radioactive material through to the site of therapy. The radiation dose is delivered in minutes. BRACHYTHERAPY 30 PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER CENTRE OUR INSPIRATION