Patent ID: 8679147

Claim:
A method of prostate cancer treatment by external beam radiation therapy, comprising: a. inserting a prostate immobilizing balloon into the rectum of a male patient, said prostate balloon having: i. a proximal end and a distal end and having a generally laterally flat seating area on a top surface thereof and a bottom rounded surface; ii. a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and a valve; iii. said balloon affixed over an end of said shaft such that said fluid passageway communicates with an interior of said balloon; iv. said valve being closable so as to maintain an inflated configuration; v. a lumen having a second fluid passageway therein and extending from past said proximal end of said balloon to past said distal end of said balloon, said lumen having a capped distal tip and one or more ports adjacent said capped distal tip and distal to said distal end of said balloon; b. properly positioning said prostate on said seating area, and inflating said balloon to immobilize a said prostate in said patient; c. treating said prostate with external beam radiation therapy; and d. allowing rectal gas to exit the rectum via said one or more ports during treatment.