{"id":631778,"date":"2026-09-30T05:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T05:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/631778\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T05:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T05:02:13","slug":"lewistown-man-receives-robotic-prostate-cancer-treatment-at-penn-state-hershey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/631778\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewistown man receives robotic prostate cancer treatment at Penn State Hershey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lewistown man receives robotic prostate cancer treatment at Penn State Hershey<\/p>\n

\"Susan<\/a>HERSHEY, Pa. \u2014<\/p>\n

Barry Swartz, a 69-year-old Lewistown resident, underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, a robotic procedure that promises fewer side effects than surgery or radiation. <\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"A life-changing diagnosis<\/p>\n

Swartz, an active man who enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May. <\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, it was a little hard,\u201d Swartz said. \u201cBut with my wife\u2019s help and family and friends, you just go on to the next step and go take it one day at a time and see what can be done.\u201d <\/p>\n

Dr. Jay Raman, a urologist at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, reviewed Swartz\u2019s MRI to explain his condition. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see that\u2019s his area of cancer right there. That dark spot measures about 12mm,\u201d Raman said. \u201cAnd then he had a second area of prostate cancer that was right up in this area here that measured about 11 or 12mm.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"A candidate for targeted treatment<\/p>\n

Because Swartz\u2019s cancer had not spread and was classified as intermediate-risk, he was considered a good candidate for HIFU, a minimally invasive treatment that uses targeted sound waves to heat and destroy cancerous tissue. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a great treatment modality for certain men with certain types of prostate cancer,\u201d Raman said. <\/p>\n

Swartz and his wife of 42 years, Mary, were optimistic about the treatment, which is known to reduce side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just, you know, so happy that he gets to have this done. And Dr. Raman\u2019s going to do it,\u201d Mary Swartz said. <\/p>\n

How the robotic procedure works<\/p>\n

During the procedure, Swartz was under anesthesia and paralyzed to ensure no movement. Raman mapped out the areas of the prostate to be treated, with the robotic system taking over to deliver the sound waves. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where we started. And this is called the apex of the prostate,\u201d Raman said. \u201cGreen means we\u2019re in this zone. White means we still have to go to the south.\u201d <\/p>\n

The team monitored the treatment in real time. <\/p>\n

\u201cThose are areas that have already shown that the treatment is effectively basically killing the cancer in that area,\u201d Raman said. <\/p>\n

The system also uses a balloon filled with blue gel to keep areas beyond the prostate cool. The procedure takes about an hour and a half. <\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Monitoring Swartz\u2019s recovery<\/p>\n

\u201cTolerated it very well. Great treatment effect. So, I\u2019m anticipating he should hopefully have a really good outcome,\u201d Raman said. <\/p>\n

In the coming months, Swartz will undergo PSA blood tests and MRIs to ensure the cancer has not returned. <\/p>\n

Dr. Raman said their success rate for the robotic HIFU treatment is between 85% and 90%. The company behind the technology stated that the procedure is typically covered by insurance, including Medicare.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Susan Shapiro\/WGAL<\/p>\n

Penn State Hershey Med HIFU treatment <\/p>\n

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