Transcript NEW OPTIONS IN PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT

NEW OPTIONS IN
PROSTATE CANCER
TREATMENT
Presented by
Triangle Urology Associates, P.A.
PROSTATE CANCER:
The #1 cancer in males
• Second leading cause of cancer
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related deaths among men
1 out of 6 men has a chance
of developing prostate cancer
in his lifetime
• Majority of cases occur after
age 65
EARLY DETECTION IS KEY
• Disease has “silent”
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progression in early
stages
21% of cases are
discovered after
disease is advanced
If detected early, cure rate is nearly 100%
PROSTATE ANATOMY
• Walnut-sized gland
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below the bladder
Surrounds the urethra
PROSTATE CANCER
WARNING SIGNS
• Weak or interrupted urine stream
• Difficulty urinating/frequent urination
• Painful/burning urination
• Blood in urine
• Pain in back, hips, pelvis
• Often no symptoms at all!
DIAGNOSING PROSTATE
CANCER
• Digital Rectal Exam (“DRE”)
• Prostate Specific Antigen (“PSA”) blood test
• Screening (DRE, PSA) is recommended:
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Annually for men 50+ years
At age 40 for higher risk patients (African-American,
Family history of prostate cancer)
• Elevated PSA levels suggest possible presence
of cancer, gland enlargement or infection
IF PSA OR DRE IS ABNORMAL
• Additional tests may be done to confirm
presence of cancer:
– Imaging of the prostate (ultrasound, MRI, CT)
– Needle biopsy - small tissue sample
obtained with a needle and analyzed in lab
AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS
• Grading the tumor
• Staging the cancer
• Considering a treatment plan
GRADING THE TUMOR
• Determines how fast the tumor is growing
• Rated on a “Gleason Scale” of 2-10
• Most localized prostate cancers are
low-to-intermediate grade
CANCER STAGING
• Measures how far cancer has spread
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outside the gland
Two common staging systems:
– TNM Staging System
– Stage I-IV (A-D)
THE GOOD NEWS
If detected early, prostate cancer
is highly treatable!
TREATMENT OPTIONS
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Watchful waiting
Surgery
External beam radiation therapy
Hormone therapy
Brachytherapy (seed implantation)
Combination Therapy
WATCHFUL WAITING
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May be used for slow-growing tumors or
elderly patients
Requires frequent check-ups on progress
of tumor
Does not include any active treatment
SURGERY (RADICAL
PROSTATECTOMY)
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Involves removal of entire prostate gland and
surrounding tissue
Can be very effective if cancer is confined
to gland
Requires hospitalization
Side effects include possible impotence and
incontinence
EXTERNAL BEAM
RADIATION
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Uses radiation (x-ray) to destroy cancer cells
A common treatment technique in early cancers
Requires daily treatment for 8-9 weeks
Side effects may include:
– Incontinence – Urinary or rectal problems
– Skin irritation
– Impotence
– Fatigue and bowel irritation
HORMONE THERAPY
• Lowers level of male hormones
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(androgens) to shrink gland and slow
tumor growth
Sometimes used in combination with
other therapies
A treatment but not a “cure”
Now, an effective treatment
option that also helps preserve
patient quality of life:
Brachytherapy
WHAT IS BRACHYTHERAPY?
• Implantation of radioactive
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“seeds” directly into the
prostate gland
Seeds deliver high-dose
radiation directly to the site of the cancer
Seeds release radiation over 3-9 months
BRACHYTHERAPY:
PROVEN EFFECTIVE
• Modern technique developed in the 1980’s
• Involves a team of specialists - urologist, radiation
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oncologist, medical physicist
Over 100,000 patients treated successfully
Published studies show results comparable
to surgery and external radiation 1,2
1. Ragde H, Korbe LJ, Elgamal AA, et al. Modern Prostate Brachytherapy: Prostate Specific Antigen results in 219 patients with
up to 12 years of observed follow-up. Cancer. 2000;89(1):135-141.
2. Sharkey J, Chovnick SD, Behar RJ, et al. Outpatient ultrasound-guided Palladium-103 brachytherapy for localized
adenocarcinoma of the prostate: A preliminary report of 434 patients. Urology. 1998;51(5):796-803.
How are We Different?
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Piedmont Prostate Center in conjunction with your
urologist is the only medical clinic in North
Carolina that can offer in office prostate
brachytherapy.
No hospitalization required!
The entire procedure is performed in the comfort
of the urologist’s office.
THE BRACHYTHERAPY
PROCEDURE
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The entire procedure is usually done in 1-2 hours
on an outpatient basis under local pain control.
State of the art equipment and personnel
specifically designed or trained for Brachytherapy
is brought to you.
No general or spinal anesthesia required!
Usually no catheter required post procedure.
SMALL SEEDS
BIG ADVANTAGES
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No major surgery required
No daily treatments
Normal activity is resumed quickly
Reduced risk of impotence, incontinence
Completely outpatient. No hospitalizations or
need for expensive anesthesia.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
OPTION FOR YOU
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Learn the facts
Talk to us or
your doctor
Get annual check-ups:
DRE and PSA
Live free of cancer
Triangle Urology Associates
Cathy Stutts, RN
919-313-3609
[email protected]