Curtiland Deville specializes in the treatment of urologic cancers, such as prostate cancer and soft tissue sarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissues of the body.
The fundamental benefit of proton therapy is that it has no exit dose, Deville says, and this reduces unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding normal, healthy tissues. Proton therapy also provides the potential to treat in challenging clinical scenarios. When soft tissue sarcomas in the arms or legs recur, the patient may be spared an amputation by undergoing a repeat course of radiation allowing for a more limited limb-sparing surgery.
Deville also published the first clinical studies on the use of proton therapy for prostate cancer after surgery. “This is an exciting area, particularly for young men who have undergone surgery for their prostate cancer and experience recurrence in the prostate bed, where the prostate was located,” says Deville. When treating the prostate, the development of an injectable, absorbable “hydrogel” spacer, protects adjacent bowel and rectum during treatment.
Seminoma is a rare but highly curable form of testicular cancer that typically affects younger men. Radiation may be used after surgery to reduce the risk of or treat recurrence. Proton therapy may reduce the risk of second cancers benefiting this often young patient cohort.
“I was drawn to the Kimmel Cancer Center because of its clinical and research expertise and patient-centered approach,” says Deville. “The goal is always to leverage this wealth of experience, bring this expertise to the community, and improve the treatment of patients.”
He likes being based at Sibley, which brings the expertise and resources of a major academic university to a community environment. He is excited about collaborating with other doctors in the community and other local institutions, such as the United Medical Center, Howard University and Children’s National. “These clinical collaborations enhance our impact on patients in the broader national capital region and beyond, providing convenient access to unique care and world class treatments, such as the most advanced radiation therapies and clinical innovations.”