NF1 Associated with More Cancer Types Than Previously Known
Prostate Cancer News
Jan. 23, 2024 — Combining testosterone-blocking drugs in patients with prostate cancer relapse prevents the spread of cancer better than treatment with a single drug, a multi-institution, Phase 3 clinical trial has ...
July 19, 2023 — Three new biomarkers for prostate cancer have been identified to help pinpoint potentially aggressive cases of the disease, which kills 300,000 men each ...
July 12, 2023 — Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death among American men, and it's resistant to one of the most powerful chemotherapy medications -- cisplatin. Now, researchers have developed the first ...
Apr. 10, 2023 — A new drug, a monoclonal antibody known as enoblituzumab, is safe in men with aggressive prostate cancer and may induce clinical activity against cancer throughout the body, according to a phase 2 ...
Mar. 16, 2023 — The combination of two oral medications has shown positive results in people with prostate cancer, whose disease has spread to other parts of the body. Compared with XTANDI plus placebo, the ...
Mar. 9, 2023 — New research shows that men who stick to a predominantly Mediterranean diet are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. This diet also improves their chances of recovery if they have PC and ...
Mar. 8, 2023 — The nitrate ingested over the course of a person's adult lifetime through the consumption of tap water and bottled water could be a risk factor for prostate cancer, particularly in the case of ...
Feb. 7, 2023 — Researchers have helped develop a new blood test to detect prostate cancer with greater accuracy than current methods. New research shows that the Prostate Screening EpiSwitch (PSE) blood test is ...
Jan. 23, 2023 — Researchers discover a potential therapeutic avenue via neuronal endocrine receptors that could be helpful in battling an aggressive form of prostate ...
Jan. 12, 2023 — For men who undergo radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer, the precise targeting capabilities of MRI guidance resulted in fewer toxicities and better quality of life according to new ...
Dec. 14, 2022 — A single bout of exercise has been shown to elevate anti-cancer proteins called myokines in people with advanced prostate cancer, to levels which can significantly suppress tumour ...
Dec. 13, 2022 — Researchers have characterised prostate cancer cell dynamics at a single-cell resolution across the timespan of the disease -- from its beginning to the point of androgen independence, where the ...
Dec. 9, 2022 — Scientists have created a comprehensive tool for predicting an individual's risk of developing prostate cancer, which they say could help ensure that those men at greatest risk will receive the ...
Nov. 29, 2022 — A family history of cancer and genetic variants that might be inherited appear to be important risk factors for Black men diagnosed with early-onset prostate cancer, a study has ...
Nov. 23, 2022 — A single drug compound simultaneously attacks hard-to-treat prostate cancer on several fronts, according to a new study in mice and human cells. It triggers immune cells to attack, helps the immune ...
Nov. 13, 2022 — Researchers have found a new theranostic compound that effectively shrinks prostate tumor in mice. Theranostics is a cancer treatment that involves finding cancer cells anywhere in the body and ...
Nov. 2, 2022 — In a recent trial, nine patients whose tumors were resistant to androgen-blocking therapy continued that therapy but were also given a CD105 inhibitor called carotuximab. Forty percent of those ...
Oct. 3, 2022 — New epigenetic biomarkers to predict more aggressive forms of prostate cancer have been ...
Sep. 22, 2022 — Researchers have identified critical genomic changes in response to abiraterone acetate/prednisone, a standard treatment option for men with progressive, incurable and castration-resistant prostate ...
Sep. 21, 2022 — Researchers have made an important discovery about how prostate cancer may start to develop. A new study reveals that the prostate as a whole, including cells that appear normal, is different in men ...
The Consumer's Guide To Radiopharmaceuticals For Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Research shows lutetium-177 can extend a person's life by an average of 38 percent. Similarly, a study that looked at the effectiveness of radium-223 found the medication extended life by an average of 30 percent.
In practical terms, for someone with metastatic prostate cancer whose life expectancy is one year, treatment with lutetium-177 could increase that time by about four and a half months, while treatment with radium-223 could increase it by about three and a half months.
Some people may live even longer, though, says Dr. Hope, especially if the prostate cancer is at an early stage or growing slowly. He estimates that about 25 percent of people who receive lutetium-177 and 5 percent who receive radium-223 may live for years after treatment.
Radium-223 and lutetium-177 also tend to provide significant relief from bone pain, which can improve quality of life. This alone can make the treatment worth it, says Tagawa.
Protecting Against Complications Of Treatment For Prostate Cancer
By Edward M. Soffen, MD
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, according to the American Urological Association.
In fact, more than 288,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed last year alone.
Fortunately, a range of safe and effective treatment options are available.
At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, radiation oncologists are using advanced techniques to treat prostate cancer and reduce complications, including bowel problems.
Some Men at Greater Risk
While prostate cancer is common, there are certain factors that put some men at greater risk than others. These include:
Men should speak with their physician about their risk for prostate cancer and whether they should be screened for the disease.
Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer often does not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can be similar to conditions like benign prostate hyperplasia commonly known as enlarged prostate and may include:
If you experience symptoms of prostate cancer, see your healthcare provider for an evaluation.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose prostate cancer, doctors will perform a medical exam and blood tests, along with a digital rectal exam. Depending on the results, they may order additional tests, such as:
Treatment for prostate cancer is highly individualized and depends on a variety of factors such as age, health, extent of the disease, lifestyle and life expectancy.
Because prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer, active surveillance is often recommended, especially for older men or men with other serious health conditions that may limit their lifespan.
In addition to active surveillance, the two main treatment options for prostate cancer are surgery to remove the prostate and radiation therapy.
Advanced Techniques Reduce Radiation Risks
For men who undergo radiation therapy for prostate cancer, bowel problems are a common complication. This is due to the proximity of the prostate to the rectum, which leaves the rectum exposed to some radiation during treatment.
As a result, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and rectal leakage can occur. Though these problems often resolve over time, they can affect quality of life, and in rare cases bowel problems may be permanent.
At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, radiation oncologists are using a balloon implant system to help protect the rectum from radiation and reduce the risk of complications.
Using minimally invasive techniques and guided by ultrasound, doctors place a small (four centimeters long and three centimeters wide) balloon between the prostate and the rectum that when filled with a sterile solution creates space between the two organs.
By creating the space, the balloon helps prevent radiation to the rectum. The balloon, which maintains its size and shape during treatment, naturally biodegrades over time.
Most men report feeling the balloon for the first few hours after placement and then their body becomes used to it. Doctors may prescribe a stool softener for a day or two after the balloon is placed.
Screening Recommendations
Guidelines for prostate cancer screening differ, which is why it is important to have a conversation with your doctor about your risk and any symptoms you may be having.
Whether to get screened is a highly personal decision and should be based on a thorough understanding of the risks and benefits and made in consult with your physician.
The American Urological Association updated its guidelines last year and recommends that:
The Association recommends that a blood test to measure the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood should be used as the first screening test. If PSA levels are newly elevated, the test should be repeated prior to additional testing, such as imaging and biopsy.
It is important to note that an elevated PSA does not confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
While prostate cancer is a significant health concern for men, advances in medicine have made treatment safer. Men should talk with their doctor about screening for prostate cancer and if diagnosed with the disease, should understand the treatment options and ask about ways to protect against treatment complications.
To find a physician with Penn Medicine Princeton Health or for more information on the Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center, call (888) 742-7496 or visit www.Princetonhcs.Org.
Edward M. Soffen, MD, is board certified in radiation oncology and is a member of the medical staff at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.
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