WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals Radiation Oncology Offers New Treatment for Prostate Cancer

WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals Radiation Oncology is proud to announce the launch of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer — offering a highly advanced, targeted treatment option now available close to home for eligible patients in southern West Virginia. 

SBRT uses precisely focused, high-dose radiation delivered over a shorter treatment course, often in just five sessions. For appropriately selected patients, this approach provides clinical outcomes comparable to conventional radiation therapy while significantly reducing the overall treatment burden. 

“This is a major advancement for our program and for our patients,” said Tara Hansen, MD, radiation oncologist. “For those who are good candidates, SBRT allows us to deliver extremely accurate treatment with less disruption to daily life — which is especially important for individuals traveling from rural communities or balancing work and family responsibilities.” 

The addition of SBRT Prostate treatment reflects Thomas Hospitals’ ongoing commitment to expanding leading-edge cancer therapies, ensuring patients can receive world-class treatment without leaving the region. Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers treated in the department, and for patients who qualify, SBRT offers several key benefits, including a much shorter treatment timeline, high precision that minimizes radiation exposure to surrounding organs, strong clinical outcomes, and improved convenience for patients and families. 

“This new capability enhances the continued growth of cancer services at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and reinforces our commitment to providing advanced, patient-centered care,” Greg Rosencrance, M.D., president and CEO of Thomas Hospitals, said. 

The Thomas Hospitals Radiation Oncology department is also the first within the WVU Cancer Institute to use and implement triggered imaging. This effective fiducial-tracking technology helps the team assess intrafraction motion during treatment to ensure precise radiation treatments. 

For more information about radiation oncology at Thomas Hospitals, visit ThomasHospitals.org.