Tag: Prostate cancer

I have written several blogs on external beam radiation for prostate cancer along with its side effects. Radiation is a good choice for the right patient. As with all prostate cancer treatments, it is essential to match a treatment with an individual’s cancer because many factors go into the choice... keep reading

One of the ongoing themes in my blogs is the importance of matching a patient’s prostate cancer with the treatment for which he is best qualified. The lower the risk, the more treatment options will be open, possibly including focal therapy. However, “bulky” intermediate-to-high risk prostate cancer excludes focal treatment because it requires a more aggressive approach... keep reading

PSMA-PET scans have become the most sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) detection for metastasis (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body), including recurrent PCa after treatment. PET uses a radioactive tracer that has been molecularly bonded with a substance readily taken up by prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). keep reading

Yoga for prostate cancer? It all began with the side effects of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. External beam radiation may be the right treatment for certain patients, but it can have downsides because it affects healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. keep reading

Everyone who wants to go through a prostate biopsy, raise your hand. What, no takers? Not surprising. Conventional transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsies commonly involve 12-14 needles, and sometimes as many as 24 in a “saturation” biopsy. TRUS biopsies frequently involve pain and risk of infection. There can be side effects like bleeding and even erectile keep reading

No one wants to go through an invasive clinical procedure if they don’t need it. Who wouldn’t prefer to be spared from simple invasions like blood draws or enemas, let alone major surgeries like replacing a heart valve or removing a lung? From the viewpoint of an individual, we’d like to avoid these if we keep reading

Okay, the title of this blog is obviously a trick question. No one—I repeat, NO ONE—looks forward to the prospect of a prostate biopsy. It’s not like standing in front of the freezer section and pondering which flavor of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream you want to bring home and enjoy. TRUS biopsy – UGH! keep reading

Who is the world’s leading prostate cancer expert? How does one even begin to answer that question? There are so many great minds dealing with prostate cancer from so many angles: biology, urology, radiology, oncology, pathology and more—it’s impossible to identify a single authority on the subject. However, when great minds work together, powerful consensus keep reading

“Introducing the ultimate technology in Precision Medicine for Prostate Focal Therapy.” “TSPA is the only technology designed for Prostate Focal Therapy” These bold claims announce the availability of Tissue Sparing Prostate Ablation (TSPA), known by its brand name as Encage. Encage uses a specific type of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which basically cooks a tumor by keep reading

If you had prostate cancer (PCa) and opted to be treated with either prostatectomy (surgical removal) or whole-gland radiation, what sign of recurrence would you watch for? You’d be sure to have an annual PSA blood test. Why? Because after whole-gland treatment, it is expected that your PSA will drop to zero (or very close keep reading