Prostate Cancer Risk Groups
Prostate cancer can be categorised into one of 5 risk groups in the Cambridge Prognostic Group .
Doctors will look at the Grade Group , prostate specific antigen level and tumour stage to decide which CPG group the prostate cancer is.
The risk group of the cancer will help determine which types of treatments will be necessary.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of survival are generally good.
External Beam Radiation For Prostate Cancer
When most patients think of radiation therapy, they think of external beam radiation therapy , in which a beam of radiation is directed at cancerous tissue from outside the body. Technological advances, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy , allow radiation oncologists to use computer-controlled devices and image-guidance technology to see and target a three-dimensional image of the tumor, making the treatment more precise than ever before.
In the past, EBRT required 40-45 daily treatments. Now, 25-28 treatments are the norm. This type of protracted, fractionated radiation therapy, however, is now generally considered to be less appropriate for low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk patients. Instead, hypofractionated techniques and brachytherapy techniques are generally more advisable for many patients.
Benefits Of Using Rezm Water Therapy
Having BPH can mean frequent trips to the bathroom and even interrupted sleep. The greatest benefit of Rezm water therapy is how it works to relieve frustrating BPH symptoms that otherwise may still be present. Rezm water therapy does not require painful surgery or medication, and is minimally invasive. Additionally, Itll give you the opportunity to have a strong steady stream without having to take prostate medications or recover from a surgery.
Rezm is a great option for those who want a quick fix. The flexibility of being able to have this procedure done in-office without having to undergo general anesthesia makes Rezm water therapy less invasive than traditional surgeries. You can even go home immediately after the procedure is finished!
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Choosing To Stop Treatment Or Choosing No Treatment At All
For some people, when treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.
Some people, especially if the cancer is advanced, might not want to be treated at all. There are many reasons you might decide not to get cancer treatment, but its important to talk to your doctors and you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat the cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.
Help Getting Through Cancer Treatment
People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.
Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.
Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.
The American Cancer Society also has programs and services including rides to treatment, lodging, and more to help you get through treatment. Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists.
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Treating Bph With Urolift
Similar to Rezm, UroLift is a one time, in-office procedure that provides rapid relief and recovery for men living with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The UroLift system is a relatively straightforward procedure that utilizes tiny implants to lift the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra so that urine is no longer blocked. The main goal of the UroLift system is to relieve symptoms of BPH so patients can resume their daily activities without having to stress about constantly going to the bathroom.
UroLift is the only transurethral BPH treatment that does not require ongoing medication, cutting, heating, or removal of the prostate tissue. The UroLift procedure is done in just three easy steps:
Does Msk Offer Proton Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Some men with prostate cancer may choose to receive another form of external-beam radiation therapy called proton therapy. Proton therapy can deliver a high radiation dose to the prostate while lowering the radiation dose to normal surrounding tissue. It is unclear if there is any advantage to proton therapy compared with IMRT. We are now studying how these approaches compare in terms of side effects and outcomes at the New York Proton Center. These efforts are being led by radiation oncologist Daniel Gorovets.
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Getting Help With Treatment Decisions
Making such a complex decision is often hard to do by yourself. You might find it helps to talk with your family and friends before making a decision. You might also find it helpful to speak with other men who have faced or are currently facing the same issues. The American Cancer Society and other organizations offer support programs where you can meet and discuss these and other cancer-related issues. For more information about our programs, call us toll-free at 1-800-227-2345 or see Find Support Programs and Services.
Itâs important to know that each manâs experience with prostate cancer is different. Just because someone you know had a good experience with a certain type of treatment doesnât mean the same will be true for you.
You might also want to consider getting more than one medical opinion, perhaps even from different types of doctors. For early-stage cancers, it is natural for surgical specialists, such as urologists, to favor surgery and for radiation oncologists to lean more toward radiation therapy. Doctors specializing in newer types of treatment may be more likely to recommend their therapies. Talking to each of them might give you a better perspective on your options. Your primary care doctor may also be helpful in sorting out which treatment might be right for you.
Who Should Have Focal Therapy
Candidates for focal therapy must be carefully selected, most often based on well-performed, image-guided biopsy techniques . Patients with intermediate-grade tumors visible in a single location on imaging may be considered for focal therapy. Low-grade cancers can be treated this way but are usually more suitable for active surveillance. Some doctors feel that cancer close to the urethra can also be treated in this fashion, but there may be a higher risk of side effects or incomplete treatment. Some feel that additional candidates for focal therapy include patients with one dominant tumor as described above and a microfocus of low-grade disease elsewhere. These smaller cancer foci are followed through active surveillance.
Results of ablation therapies to date have been favorable, but the experience and time of follow-up are still limited. In addition, these patients must be evaluated carefully to avoid undertreating their cancer, and after treatment, they need to have periodic imaging, PSA assessment and at least one follow-up biopsy.
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Hifu Treatment For Localized Prostate Cancer Now Available In Encino Ca
HIFU, or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for prostate cancer
CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2019 / HIFU Prostate Services, LLC, the leading provider of HIFU technology to physician practices in the United States, has partnered with seven urologists in the greater Los Angeles areas to bring HIFU for localized prostate cancer to Encino, CA.
The doctors bringing this technology to the area are Richard David, MD Ganeshalingam Devendra, MD Michael Hyman, MD S.Daniel Niku, MD Shashi Reddy, MD Mark Sender, MD and Richard Shapiro, MD.
HIFU, cleared by the FDA for prostate tissue ablation in October 2015, is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to heat and destroy cancerous tissue in the prostate. It is a one-time, outpatient procedure that allows men to return to their normal lifestyle within a few days without the complications commonly seen with surgery and radiation.
The physicians are offering HIFU at Encino Plaza Surgical Center and Dr. Davendra treated two patients with HIFU earlier this week.
During HIFU, ultrasound energy is emitted through a transrectal probe that focuses the energy to a focal point in the prostate to rapidly heat and destroy tissue. HIFU is very accurate and therefore, areas outside the targeted tissue are undamaged which greatly reduces the risk of side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
About Encino Plaza Surgical Center
About HIFU Prostate Services, LLC
Most Prostate Surgeries Are Now Done Robotically
In the U.S., about 95% of prostate surgeries are performed robotically, with the surgeon sitting apart from the patient at a control console, watching progress on a high-definition monitor while controlling the robot remotely. The robot translates the surgeons hand movements into precise micro-movements, making it easy for them to manipulate a tiny camera and surgical instruments with greater range of motion than they could with their hands.
Robotic procedures are done with the patient under general anesthesia and take two hours or more to complete. The possibility of side effects is a concern with any type of prostatectomyeven with the aid of a robotthe main ones being an inability to control urine after surgery, and difficulty having or maintaining an erection. There are several different types of robotic surgeries, and each one comes with its own set of benefits.
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Surgically Removing The Prostate Gland
A radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of your prostate gland. This treatment is an option for curing prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate or has not spread very far.
Like any operation, this surgery carries some risks, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
In extremely rare cases, problems arising after surgery can be fatal.
It’s possible that prostate cancer can come back again after treatment. Your doctor should be able to explain the risk of your cancer coming back after treatment, based on things like your PSA level and the stage of your cancer.
Studies have shown that radiotherapy after prostate removal surgery may increase the chances of a cure, although research is still being carried out into when it should be used after surgery.
You may want to ask your doctors about storing a sperm sample before the operation so it can be used later for in vitro fertilisation .
Managing Side Effects Of External Radiation In The Prostate Area
While external radiation therapy is a proven prostate cancer treatment, it can also come with side effects one of which is damage to the rectum. To reduce exposure of nearby organs to radiation, and to reduce the risk of side effects, Dr. Nurani may recommend the use of SpaceOAR® Hydrogel.
SpaceOAR® is a soft gel-like synthetic material that expands and creates space between the prostate and rectum. It is implanted prior to radiation treatment through a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. The gel remains in place for about three months during radiation treatment and then liquefies, is absorbed, and cleared from the body through your urine.
Dr. Nurani specializes in SpaceOAR® placement and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the procedure.
Another side effect that is often asked about his impotence following prostate cancer radiation treatment. Both internal and external radiation can cause some sexual side effects. Talk to Dr. Nurani or another member of your cancer care team about ways to help prevent or cope with this possible side effect.
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Brachytherapy For Prostate Cancer
Brachytherapy is a form of internal radiation therapy. With this type of therapy, radiation is delivered to the prostate tumor inside the body via a catheter or another implantable device.
High-dose rate brachytherapy uses radioactive Iridium-192 to deliver high doses of radiation to the prostate tumor. Treatments are short, sometimes requiring as few as five sessions. Brachytherapy radiation more tightly surrounds the tissues were targeting, which may help spare normal tissues.
Access The Right Treatments At The Right Time
When it comes to treating prostate cancer, it is important to have access to the best expertise possible so you can receive the right treatments at the right time. The University of Maryland Cancer Network gives you the opportunity to connect with the best treatment options available.
Led by the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center , the UM Cancer Network provides you access to nationally renowned experts, the latest treatments, and promising clinical trials close to home. When you work with a UM Cancer Network cancer center, your community hospital will work in partnership with UMGCCC to help you beat cancer.
Find out more about prostate cancer treatments.
Find an UMMS cancer center near you.
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Good Prostate Cancer Care
Your MDT will be able to recommend what they feel are the best treatment options, but ultimately the decision is yours.
You should be able to talk with a named specialist nurse about treatment options and possible side effects to help you make a decision.
You should also be told about any clinical trials you may be eligible for.
If you have side effects from treatment, you should be referred to specialist services to help stop or ease these side effects.
Cancer Support And Survivorship Programs
Cancer care can be overwhelming for you and your family. Thats why we offer many resources to help you stay well during and after treatment, including:
- Individual and group counselingto help you keep a positive outlook.
- Nurse navigatorswho can help you with everything from understanding your diagnosis to arranging transportation.
- Integrative oncology servicesthat promote wellness through services like acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and more.
- Nutritional supportfrom registered dietitians who can help you find foods that keep your body strong during treatment and recovery.
- Survivorship servicesthat help you thrive long-term by addressing the issues you face after successful cancer treatment.
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New Prostate Cancer Treatment Available In Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC â A new tool thatâs considered one of the most significant advancements in prostate cancer treatment is now being used in Charlotte. It could literally mean the difference between life and death for many men.
The tool is called Prostate MRI and itâs much like a mammogram used to diagnose breast cancer in women.
According to Dr. Chris Teigland of Charlotteâs Levine Cancer Institute, â Where weâre actually imaging prostates like mammograms used to image breasts. Weâre imaging prostates and weâre only biopsying those lesions where they look like theyâre going to be clinically significant cancers.â
Dr. Teigland is considered one of the leading prostate cancer experts in the United States.
He says the new trend in prostate cancer has moved toward trying to identify those patients who have clinically significant disease that needs to be treated, and trying not to treat those who donât need to be treated.
âThe reason for that is that weâve learned that a lot of the early low grade cancers that we were diagnosing in the 90s and 2000s really could be watched,â Teigland said. âSo we no longer operate on those very low risk or low risk patients. So weâre only operating on more clinically significant cancers and watching the low risk cancers.â
In another significant development, newly developed genetic analysis is allowing doctors to determine if a cancer is clinically significant.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor Or Nurse
You may find it helpful to keep a note of any questions you have to take to your next appointment. If youre choosing a treatment, you might find it helpful to ask your doctor or nurse some of these questions.
- What treatments are suitable for me?
- How quickly do I need to make a decision?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment? What are their side effects?
- How effective is my treatment likely to be?
- Can I see the results of treatments youve carried out?
- Is the aim to keep my prostate cancer under control, or to get rid of it completely?
- If the aim of my treatment is to get rid of the cancer, what is the risk of my cancer coming back after treatment?
- If the aim of my treatment is to keep the cancer under control, how long might it keep it under control for?
- What treatments and support are available to help manage side effects?
- Are all of the treatments available at my local hospital? If not, how could I have them?
- After treatment, how often will I have check-ups and what will this involve? How will we know if my cancer starts to grow again?
- If my treatment doesnt work, what other treatments are available?
- Can I join any clinical trials?
- If I have any questions or get any new symptoms, who should I contact?
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Screening For Prostate Cancer
At UCSF, we believe in testing men so they know if they have prostate cancer, but that doesn’t mean every man diagnosed should have aggressive treatment. Screening is the only way to detect high-risk, potentially life-threatening prostate cancer early, while it can still be cured.
Most prostate cancers in the U.S. are identified through the following screening tests:
- Prostate-specific antigen . This simple blood test checks levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by prostate cells. The higher the PSA level, the more likely prostate cancer is present. But PSA elevations can also occur in benign conditions, most commonly benign prostatic hyperplasia, in which the prostate enlarges, as occurs in most men over their lifetime.
- Digital rectal exam . For this physical examination, your doctor inserts a lubricated gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any irregular or abnormally firm areas. While most prostate cancers are detected by PSA screening, some cancers produce little PSA but are detected by DRE.
In some circumstances, your doctor may order a repeat PSA or other tests to help determine whether a benign condition led to an elevated PSA. These tests may include:
- Multiparametric MRI
An MRI exam of the prostate is helpful and can allow for a more targeted biopsy.