This New England Journal of Medicine article gives the results of a randomized trial of 3 possible prostate cancer treatments. It is rather long and academic, but shows similar results for the 3 options. Read the article here.
A revolutionary new DNA treatment technique involves having a simple DNA test of your tumour first. This then tells doctors precisely which drugs or therapies are most suited to you – rather than relying on the standard treatment. The genetic profiling of your tumour can also tell doctors which drugs you should avoid because they either won’t help you or are likely to give you worse side effects than others might suffer. Read the article.
A 14-year-study, which spanned eight countries, found that overall, an extra four inches on the waist was associated with a 13 per cent increased risk of prostate cancer – and an 18 per cent rise in fatal disease. Read the article.
A clinical trial at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto will determine the effectiveness of a targeted radiotherapy approach, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), in improving outcomes for men with oligometastatic prostate cancer. Read the article.
A compound initially developed as a cholesterol-fighting agent not only halts the progression of prostate cancer, but also can kill cancerous cells, researchers at the University of Missouri have determined. Read the article.
The Movember Foundation, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Prostate Cancer Canada announced $3 million in funding for a new Phase III clinical trial to evaluate if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can replace the current standard of care to diagnose prostate cancer. The primary objective is to determine whether MRI imaging can spare some men from undergoing a biopsy and avoid the possible associated side effects. The trial will be led by Dr. Laurence Klotz of the Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto. Read the article.
Due to the increasing numbers of radical prostatectomies performed for prostate cancer, a substantial and increasing number of patients suffer from postoperative urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (ED). An inflatable penile prosthesis is highly recommended as an initial procedure, especially in patients with the dual problems of ED and incontinence. Read the article.
Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of exercise to improve the quality of life of people with cancer. But Dr. Fred Saad, urologist-oncologist and researcher at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM), goes further. He believes that physical exercise has a direct effect on cancer, as effective as drugs, for treating patients with prostate cancer, even in advanced stages of the disease. Read the article.
A new form of highly personalised treatment for prostate cancer is showing promise in preserving potency. The new technique, termed “vessel sparing radiation”, preserved erectile function in 80 per cent of men at the five-year follow-up while maintaining excellent cure rates. Read the article.
Seemingly overnight, treatment of men with early-stage prostate cancer has undergone a sea change. Five years ago, nearly all opted for surgery or radiation; now, nearly half are choosing no treatment at all. The approach is called active surveillance. It means their cancers are left alone but regularly monitored to be sure they are not growing. Just 10 percent to 15 percent of early-stage prostate cancer patients were being treated by active surveillance several years ago. Now, data from three independent sources consistently finds that 40 percent to 50 percent of them are making that choice. Read the article.