David’s Story

At age 76, Dr. David Jalen defies the conventional notions of retirement, continuing to practice dentistry. In 2021, he noticed a concerning mass developing on the skin of his right ear, which he brought to the attention of his dermatologist. An initial biopsy confirmed a malignant melanoma, leading to the removal of the mass.

Fast forward two years later, in 2023, Dr. Jalen faced a recurrence with a PET/CT and MRI confirming a mass in the superficial right parotid gland. Parotid glands are the largest salivary glands on both sides of our face in front of our ears.

Dr. Jalen received a referral to a local academic center for a facial-nerve-sparing, right-sided superficial parotidectomy, although a final pathology confirmed a recurrent melanoma. Further discussion with a Melanoma Tumor Board concluded that surgery was not an option due to the complexity of surgery involving crucial tissues, blood vessels, and nerves in the location of the mass. They recommended immunotherapy as the next course of action.

Unfortunately, after four months of treatment, he discovered that the disease had further progressed in the right parotid gland. That’s when Dr. Jalen was referred to Epic Care CyberKnife for a pain-free, non-invasive radiation treatment with pinpoint accuracy. Dr. Jalen received five treatments, providing a radiation dose the equivalent of more than eight weeks of conventional radiation.

“I’m kind of a nerdy type of guy, so watching the machine while I was lying there, move around and ‘zap,’ move around and ‘zap’ and move around again was very intriguing. I don’t recommend it for entertainment, but it is very valuable treatment,” says Dr. Jalen.

He tolerated the treatment exceptionally well – reporting only mild, temporary fatigue. Dr. Jalen did not experience any skin reaction, jaw pain, hearing difficulty, or mouth pain.

Two months after the completion of treatment, he underwent a follow-up PET/CT, which demonstrated a complete response to treatment. Thanks to CyberKnife’s cutting-edge technology, he remains symptom-free and is still practicing dentistry.

“I was amazed at how easy it was. It was a great experience. I would pop in, get treated, and then go to lunch,” says Dr. Jalen, “The Epic Care team was just so good, very professional, kept us informed and super accommodating.”

To anyone facing a similar battle, Dr. Jalen’s story serves as a reminder to never underestimate the strength of resilience and the modern medical advancements, such as CyberKnife.

Mel’s Story

Routine health check-ups and preventive measures are often the unsung heroes in the battle against diseases. For 76-year-old retiree veteran Mel Soares Jr., the regular Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests were the first line of defense against prostate cancer. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feeling no symptoms, a slight rise in his PSA levels shown on his annual tests prompted further investigation, including his first biopsy, which came back negative. But a few years later, when his PSA level jumped to a 7, Mel had a second biopsy, which revealed he had prostate cancer. “I’m active with the local veterans of my area; half of us have had prostate issues. We are just at that age, but they had symptoms of one kind or another”, says Mel. “I had no symptoms; that is where I got blindsided.”

Upon Mel being diagnosed with prostate cancer, his primary care doctor referred him to Epic Care’s Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Uma Swamy, who quickly identified him as a suitable candidate for a cutting-edge treatment known as CyberKnife®. CyberKnife technology utilizes advanced robotics and real-time imaging, allowing targeted treatment with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissues. CyberKnife provided Mel with a chance to combat cancer without the need for surgery or extended periods of traditional radiation therapy. “What impressed me most about CyberKnife is how precise and safe it is. It’s state-of-the-art cancer treatment designed for me.” says Mel.

Impressed by the precision and safety offered by CyberKnife, Mel underwent five non-invasive, pain-free treatment sessions. “The team at Epic Care are all great people, walking me through the process, letting me know what was going on, very fine people top to bottom,” says Mel. Mel experienced minimal side effects and could go about his daily routine during and after treatment, including getting in his daily walks when he can.

Armed with a newfound appreciation for early detection, the veteran has become an advocate for prostate health. Mel shares his journey with family, friends, and comrades, urging them to prioritize regular check-ups and PSA tests. His message is clear: prostate cancer can strike without warning, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. “If I didn’t have a PSA done, I would not have known,” says Mel. “If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for your family.”

Mel’s journey from an unexpected prostate cancer diagnosis to successful CyberKnife treatment serves as a beacon of hope for others. His commitment to spreading awareness about the importance of regular check-ups and PSA testing highlights the critical role that early detection plays in defeating prostate cancer.

As medical technology advances, stories like Mel’s highlight the significance of staying vigilant about our health. Mel’s resilience, combined with the precision of CyberKnife, exemplifies how early detection and cutting-edge treatments can pave the way for a healthy and fulfilling life, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Chip’s Story

75-year-old Chip has fought cancer a few times before. After working as a precision machinist for thirty-seven years, Chip battled basal skin cancer, and later on, prostate cancer. While taking a shower one day, Chip discovered a new pea-sized lump in his groin. This discovery prompted the Bay Area native to make a doctor’s appointment quickly. After several tests, it was confirmed to be a recurrence of prostate cancer and a new finding of pancreatic cancer. As he has done throughout life, Chip approached this discovery head-on, with a positive attitude, and sought an immediate treatment solution, “Cancer is not going to get the best of me,” Chip recalls.

After some discussion, Chip’s care plan included surgical removal of the cancerous tumors, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments with Epic Care CyberKnife. The surgical oncology team at UC Davis performed the surgery, and soon after, Chip met with Epic Care’s Medical Oncologist, Dr. Ernest Lo.

After several months of chemotherapy, most patients understandably reach their limit, but Chip shared, “Don’t get me wrong, the side effects are tough, but the more that’s poured into me, the better I feel. I wasn’t going to stop. I was ready for the sixth round and would continue until I made it through round twelve.”

Chip did just that, but after the series of chemotherapy was complete, a new spot was discovered on Chip’s liver. “Thankfully, no rock goes unturned with my Epic Care crew!’, he says. Chemo began again to ensure the metastatic liver cancer did not grow, and Epic Care’s team of doctors agreed CyberKnife would be the appropriate next step.

Chip’s first CyberKnife treatment with Radiation Oncologist Dr. Gautam Prasad was on his birthday. “It was the greatest birthday gift.”, recalls Chip. And best of all, Chip’s treatment was painless and completed in three short sessions. Soon after CyberKnife treatment was complete, Chip returned to the Walnut Creek CyberKnife Center to review his results. Dr. Prasad showed two images; one where the tumor was and another where it used to be. “The cancer was gone,” Chip exclaims!

After returning home, Chip remains in close contact with his Epic Care team and is provided frequent updates to track his tumor markers. According to the American Cancer Society, “Tumor markers are substances found in the blood when cancer is present and are used to help detect, diagnose, and manage some types of cancer.”

Since CyberKnife treatment, “I am staying busy, doing things around the house, enjoying time with my lovely wife, and making sure grass doesn’t grow under my feet,” Chip says. He continues chemotherapy treatments with Dr. Ernest Lo, and keeps a picture of the CyberKnife machine in his wallet to share with friends, and remind them of the incredible treatment options in our community that may help them, too!

Chip has some advice for others who are beginning their cancer journey. “Keep pushing, enjoy life, and get up on the right side of the bed every day. There has been incredible progress made that can give you years of life and help you beat cancer. I’m not ready to check out yet, and thanks to Epic Care, I don’t have to.”

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Every member of our cancer care team is dedicated to the success of our patients, and if you or a loved one are in need of world-class cancer treatment, we’d love to help. Take the first step and contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule your consultation. We look forward to hearing from you, and wherever you are in your cancer journey, we look forward to helping you reclaim the healthy, happy life you deserve.

The information included in these testimonials are based on each patient’s unique experience and is not intended to represent all patient outcomes or expectations.