Information and Resources
Moderately hypofractionated IMRT (radiation therapy delivered in 20 to 26 treatments instead of the conventional 40-44 treatments) has received strong endorsement from all of the major US organizations of physicians who treat prostate cancer. Read more about this significant new guideline here.
The following presentation slides have some useful information with pros and cons of HDR and LDR Brachytherapy by Daniel Fernandez, MD, PhD. – Moffitt Cancer Center.
View or download the slides from HERE
Reported in Urology Times:
For urologists and radiation oncologists alike, when treating prostate cancer, one recurring theme is “protect the rectum.” As surgeons, we learn meticulous techniques to avoid rectal injuries, and our radiation colleagues have long strategized on how to optimally deliver the maximum dose of tolerable radiation while minimizing radiation exposure to “organs at risk” such as the bladder, rectum, urethra, and penile bulb. In this era of dose escalation and hypofractionation, rectal toxicity is of paramount consideration.
In this article, we discuss one particular new product and how it may herald a significant change in the landscape of radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Read the entire article on urologytimes.com HERE
Highlights and summary from the 24th Annual PCF Scientific Retreat on October 2017. Read the report here.
Dr. Mark Scholz participated in a tumor board session with a discussion of Prostate Cancer Cases at El Camino Hospital in November 2017.
Participants included:
View the recording of the event here
The Prostate Cancer Patient Guide, available from pcf.org is a useful and a must-have resource for prostate cancer patients, loved ones, or caregivers.
Download it from the pcf.org web site here
The purpose of this short eBook is to provide men facing prostate cancer with a lot of up-to-date information in a compact format.
The information and opinions provided in this book are not specific medical advice for any individual. It should not substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. The author is not a medical doctor. The reader is advised that any information or opinions expressed or implied in this book are those of a layman and should not be acted upon without the consent of a licensed physician. This book is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician.
Download the pdf ebook here.
The following information was obtained from several sources including University of British Columbia, The Vancouver Sun and others.
John Oliffe, head of Men’s Health Research and a professor in the School of Nursing has developed a new interactive website called “If I Were Tom” (ifiweretom.ubc.ca)
This website has been five years in the making. The idea started in 2012, when researchers surveyed health specialists and patients to find out what they most want to discuss when dealing with prostate cancer. Another two years of video interviews followed, using a $400,000.00 grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. There are 30 videos on the website, with more ready to be swapped in order to keep everything fresh.
The website is interactive, so the viewer can predict what Tom (actor Gary Johnston plays the role) will do at each step along the way from diagnosis to recovery. “Will I have to wear these stupid underpants that make you look like you’re walking around with a load in your pants?” Tom asks himself when worrying about potential side effects of surgery.
“We’ve found with guys that if a character resonates with them they’re drawn into the content in a more interactive way. You look at the video and put in what you would do next. You might be plotting what Tom’s doing, but chances are you’re plotting what you did or think you’d do,” said Oliffe.
Like a support group session, but on line. There is already a mountain of information available about prostate cancer, concedes Oliffe, and the website isn’t trying to duplicate that. Instead, each topic area includes a video from specialists including urologist, oncologist and psychologist and also includes men with prostate cancer talking about their real experiences. It also includes no-holds-barred discussion on sexual problems and hormonal changes.
We’re really trying to create a resource that was similar for all those guys who don’t want to go to a group because of privacy issues or who can’t get there because of transportation or work commitments etc.
You can’t have too much information. There are different types of prostate cancer – slow growing or aggressive – there are various treatment options to treat prostate cancer including surgery to remove the prostate gland surgically.
Another option may be radiation therapy, anti-hormone treatment known as androgen deprivation therapy or doing something referred to as active-surveillance (where you and your PSA etc. are watched very closely and if and when things change then treatment options are offered). Age and other health problems will also play into each man’s choice of treatment.
“They might be disappointed with the outcome, but if you go in knowing the potential side effects and having thoughtfully considered those, taking time rather than being rushed…you’re less likely to make a decision quickly about a treatment you might regret.”
Research continues. Oliffe’s team is collecting more data through the website with surveys. I believe at the present time they are asking about a persons exercise regime.
AUA/ASTRO/SUO Guidelines
Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, patients are faced with a multitude of care options, the advisability of which is influenced by patient factors and by cancer severity or aggressiveness. The ability to categorize patients based on cancer aggressiveness is invaluable for facilitating care decisions.
Accordingly, these guidelines for the management of localized prostate cancer are structured first, to provide a clinical framework stratified by cancer severity (or risk group) to facilitate care decisions and second, to guide the specifics of implementing the selected management options.
In Scope: active surveillance, observation/watchful waiting, prostatectomy, radiotherapy, cryosurgery, high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal therapy.
Out of Scope: Secondary or salvage treatment for localized prostate cancer that persists or recurs after primary definitive intervention, and primary treatment of locally advanced/metastatic disease.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer are faced with an array of prostate treatment options. Proton beam therapy—a form of external beam radiation therapy—is the latest choice now available in the United States. But it’s a controversial option as well, with some critics suggesting that its popularity may be driven by advertising rather than by sound scientific evidence of benefit over other therapies.
Read more on healthafter50.com