New breakthroughs in radiation therapy now let physicians treat prostate cancer with greater accuracy than ever before. When Kevin Stewart, a former Navy pilot whose disease had metastasized to his skeleton, pursued this cutting-edge approach, it formed the cornerstone of his revised effort to maximize survival odds.
Kevin Stewart had a 10-year career as a Navy pilot, stationed on frigates, cruisers, and destroyers, with a specialty in anti-submarine warfare. However, in 2021, he noticed a change in his health, experiencing a sudden sense of urgency to urinate.
After a year of stubbornness, Kevin finally saw a doctor near his home in St. Petersburg, Florida. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test showed a higher-than-normal result, prompting further evaluation, which led to a diagnosis of oligometastatic prostate cancer.
This type of cancer means the cancer had spread beyond the prostate to areas in his bones. Through his treatment, Kevin leaned on his wife of 41 years, Allison Stewart.
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Treatment and Care
After three years of treatment, it became clear that Kevin had not found a long-term solution. He believes that having a positive attitude, a partner, and a vision match with his care team are essential for effective treatment.
Kevin eventually found his way to Mayo Clinic in December 2025, where he met with Dr. Albert Attia, a radiation oncologist. Dr. Attia explained the approach and expected outcome of the treatment, aiming to achieve a cure, although not promised.
The treatment plan called for radiation therapy, which works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, leading to cell death. Dr. Attia also noted that radiation can ramp up the immune system and help attack the cancer.
Precision Radiation Therapy
For Kevin, doctors used intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to precisely target the cancer. This approach allows for shaping the dose of radiation to deliver high doses to the tumor while avoiding critical structures nearby.
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Kevin underwent 28 radiation treatments over six weeks, completing treatment in April 2026. By the end of the treatment, Kevin and Dr. Attia had formed a strong bond, with Dr. Attia noting that it was gratifying to see Kevin improve and that it assured him that they are making strides in improving patients’ lives.
Kevin feels great, having regained all his energy, and his initial PSA test showed a result of zero, as expected. He remains on hormone therapy and will continue regular follow-up with his radiation oncology team.
Moving Forward
Now, Kevin’s focus is on returning to the life he and Allison had planned. This means they can get back to their lives, do the things they want to do, and enjoy the life they spent a lifetime working for. For Kevin, this means everything.