KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaNew radiation therapy helping patients fight cancer

New radiation therapy helping patients fight cancer

Reported by Laila Morcos

The latest tool in radiation therapy has made its way to the Lake Area. This treatment takes less time, is easier on patients and is more precise in cancer fighting.

Client Hudson is the economics and European history teacher at Westlake High School. He's been there for 20 years. "Love it. Teaching is very rewarding, it's a great deal of fun," he says.

But recently, it was his students that showed him support. He says, "I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, stage one." This sent Client into denial. His thoughts, "It can't happen to me."

But that denial turned to hope. He's had successful treatment with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, or IMRT, the latest in radiation therapy. Regional Cancer Center Medical Director Larry Hauskins says the machine is a targeting mechanism, hitting precisely the cancerous area. "You want to get enough dose into that tumor with out frying or overdosing the normal tissues," says Dr. Hauskins. That minimizes numerous radiation side-effects. He says, "Some people in the old days would have such a sore throat, they would quit eating."

And it helps the technicians as well. Before, large, heavy blocks were placed on the patient for precise targeting. "I'd say they're in the range of 30 to 40 pounds a piece," says Dr. Hauskins.

Client had 35 IMRT treatments, and now his survival rate is 99 % plus. He does have advice, though: Get a yearly check-up. "i think getting a yearly physical saved my life," he says. Client has changed his lifestyle and gets up everyday and looks forward to teaching all his students.

IMRT is used to treat many types of cancer. However, the older radiation therapy using those large blocks is still used in some cases.