Category: Other Treatments

It was true when we posted the blog below in 2017, and it’s still true now: surgical removal of the prostate gland does not guarantee a cure for prostate cancer. What it does offer, in the words of expert European urologists, is “a high chance of cure.” In fact, published rates of recurrence at 5 years after radical prostatectomy (RP) are as high as... keep reading

The use of an injectable hydrogel spacer to help minimize toxic effects of prostate cancer (PCa) radiation on the rectal wall has become a standard of care. By implanting the hydrogel into the tissue between the prostate and the rectum, a wider space is created, which “may significantly reduce the [radiation] dose received by the rectum and the risk of rectal toxicity [side effects, see explanation in the blog below].” How well does it work? keep reading

Men with localized prostate cancer (PCa) are usually given three treatment choices: radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or Active Surveillance (AS). Although patients are rarely told about minimal-to-noninvasive treatments that can be applied as focal therapy... keep reading

“Limited attention has been given to the psychological impact of primary treatments in patients with prostate cancer.” We want to update our original post (below) about dementia/cognitive decline in relation to radical prostatectomy, by broadening it out to... keep reading

It was bad news then, and five years down the road it’s still bad news. According to Barnett, et al. (2021), “Of the risks associated with RT, the development of a secondary malignancy is of most concern for the patient and physician.” The blog we posted below presented a 2016 paper on prostate cancer radiation therapy as a catalyst for... keep reading

Over the years, I have spoken with many patients about the idea of doctors being 100% open with regard to their treatment results. I came across a large-scaled Swedish study on prostatectomy side effects, and it’s as transparent as it gets. keep reading

When HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) was finally approved in the U.S. by the FDA in 2015, it was for whole gland, or radical, prostate cancer treatment. Leading up to that approval, some PCa patients who were candidates for prostatectomy held off on surgery, in hopes that... keep reading

Proton beam therapy for prostate cancer has been struggling with insurance issues because it is significantly more costly than conventional radiation types, yet has not demonstrated better cancer control. However, in the minds of many patients, it offers a better chance at cure... keep reading

It has been, and continues to be, our position that metal instruments such as a scalpel or a biopsy needle are extremely unlikely to unleash PCa tumor cells that ultimately threaten a patient’s life. The predominant opinion among clinical professionals is that, even if it were to occur, it would be exceedingly rare. Another way to come at the prostatectomy-spreading-PCa problem is to broaden the question: can surgical removal of cancer cause the cancer to spread? keep reading

When four years had gone by since the blog below was posted, it was time to explore whether subsequent related studies had been published. It was slim pickings, but the following journal articles had relevant content on prostate cancer followed by acute myeloid leukemia keep reading