THE REGION’S MOST RENOWNED SPECIALIZED UROLOGY CARE IS IN COLORADO SPRINGS.
We are pleased to announce Dr. Benjamin Coons, Dr. Catherine Harris, and Dr. James Thomasch, established urologists in Colorado Springs, have joined The Urology Center of Colorado (TUCC). TUCC is the largest, most comprehensive urology center in the Rocky Mountain region. Together, we bring expertise, dedication, and compassion to achieve optimal outcomes in men’s and women’s urology.
To make an appointment call 719-882-8822.
External beam radiation therapy utilizes a linear accelerator to generate a radiation beam toward the desired treatment area.
Treatment planning and delivery techniques such as 3-D conformal planning and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), can be utilized to conform the dose of radiation to the planned treatment area. This allows higher doses to be administered to desired treatment areas and reduces the risk of exposure to surrounding normal tissues. Both techniques allow for better control of the radiation beam to the tumor with reduced side effects. TUCC also offers patients a more advanced form of IMRT, volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), on the Versa HD. With conventional IMRT, the linear accelerator must rotate around the patient a few times to treat the cancerous tumor from several different angles. In contrast, VMAT delivers the radiation dose to the entire tumor in a 360-degree rotation within minutes. The prostate can change position depending on the volumes of the bladder and rectum. With image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), metallic markers are inserted into the prostate so that their position can be visualized on a daily basis. Daily assessment of the markers and subsequent adjustments enable therapists to deliver more accurate radiation treatments. This reduces the risk of radiation exposure to normal tissues and side effects.
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy administered over a short distance. In select prostate cancer patients, radioactive seeds may be implanted into the prostate.
As they decay, radiation is released. The radiation dose is determined by the seed characteristics, the number of seeds implanted and the distribution of the seeds. The seeds remain in the prostate after the radiation dose is released. A combination of brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy may be used in select patients.
SBRT is an ultra-high dose and precise form of radiation therapy used to eliminate prostate and kidney tumors.
This type of treatment is known as hypofractionated radiation therapy, which delivers higher doses of radiation in a more targeted fashion over fewer treatments. Shortened treatment times can improve patient comfort, particularly for older patients who may find it difficult to remain in one position over extended periods of time. The risk of movement by patients who are receiving treatment near important structures is minimized, as well. TUCC is pioneering the use of SBRT in Colorado on the Versa HD.
TUCC performs more robotic surgeries for urologic conditions than any other medical group in the region. Minimally invasive da Vinci® robotic surgical procedures are important treatment options for most urologic conditions and cancers. TUCC surgeons lead the region in performing prostate and urologic robotic surgery, having performed more than 3,000 of these procedures since 2006.
The da Vinci system includes a robot and a surgeon console. The robot’s four arms are positioned over the patient during surgery. Small robotic instruments move inside the patient’s body to perform delicate surgical maneuvers. The surgeon console is a separate unit that controls the movements of the robot inside the body and gives surgeons a magnified, high-definition and 3-D view of the surgical site. By utilizing robotic technology, a surgeon’s hand movements are motion scaled and any hand tremor is filtered resulting in perfectly translated, precise movements of the instruments. At all times, the surgeon is in complete control of the robotic instrument’s movements.
If you are considering open or robotic urologic surgery with your regular urologist, for your piece of mind, get a second opinion from the most experienced team in the region.
We’re here to help.
For appointments at any TUCC location, request an appointment online.
TUCC – Denver, CO. Hours M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
Radiation Oncology – Denver, CO. Hours M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
TUCC – Lone Tree, CO. Hours M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
TUCC – Colorado Springs, CO. Hours M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm
