Prostate Cancer

Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) has largely replaced open-technique worldwide as the first surgical modality for prostate cancer. We aim to describe the experience of RARP at a high-volume single cancer center, proposing a modified technique of nerve-sparing prostatectomy and comparing functional outcomes throughout our experience. We retrospectively reviewed 1088 patients divided into group 1 (operated from May 2013 to November 2014), submitted to the standard transperitoneal robotic technique and group 2 (operated from December 2014 to December 2017), submitted to extraperitoneal RARP with complete anterior peri-prostatic preservation technique and a clipless approach (no use of clips and cautious use of bipolar energy). We constructed a retrospective 1:2 matched-pair analysis considering age, body mass index, D'Amico risk classification, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification as matching criteria. Univariate and multivariate Cox logistic regressi...

Image Credit: iStock Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently held a campaign in association with Emirates Urological Society and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences at Dubai Hospital to raise awareness about prostate diseases and prostate cancer, in line with Prostate Health Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. As per global statistics, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Dr Fariborz Bagheri, Head of Urology Department at Dubai Hospital, said, “Prostate cancer is a silent disease as there are no apparent signs and symptoms of the disease which often leads to detection at a later stage. Therefore, awareness about the disease is very important. If detected in time, prostate cancer can be cured, however, if detected later on, it can only be treated and not cured. Patients who detect the cancer at a later stage have to undergo lifelong treatment.” He added, “The risk for prostate cancer increases after age 50. We advocate tha...

Men with prostate cancer can be spared radiotherapy after surgery, according to late breaking results of the RADICALS-RT trial presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (1,2) The study answers a longstanding question about whether the benefits of radiotherapy after surgery outweigh the side-effects. RADICALS-RT is the largest ever trial of postoperative radiotherapy in prostate cancer. It found no difference in disease recurrence at five years between men who routinely had radiotherapy shortly after surgery and men who had radiotherapy later, if the cancer came back. Study first author Prof Chris Parker, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK said: "The results suggest that radiotherapy is equally effective whether it is given to all men shortly after surgery or given later to those men with recurrent disease. There is a strong case now that observation should be the standard approach after surgery and radiotherapy sho...

Men with prostate cancer can be spared radiotherapy after surgery, according to late breaking results of the RADICALS-RT trial presented at the ESMO Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (1,2) The study answers a longstanding question about whether the benefits of radiotherapy after surgery outweigh the side-effects. RADICALS-RT is the largest ever trial of postoperative radiotherapy in prostate cancer. It found no difference in disease recurrence at five years between men who routinely had radiotherapy shortly after surgery and men who had radiotherapy later, if the cancer came back. Study first author Prof Chris Parker, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK said: "The results suggest that radiotherapy is equally effective whether it is given to all men shortly after surgery or given later to those men with recurrent disease. There is a strong case now that observation should be the standard approach after surgery and radiotherapy sho...

Morever, the next-generation androgen receptor improved overall survival, compared with placebo, in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, according to updated findings of the phase 3 SPARTAN trial.   BY Kristie L. Kahl and Gina Columbus The addition of Erleada to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) reduced the risk for death by 25% compared with placebo in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, according to updated findings of the phase 3 SPARTAN trial that were presented at the 2019 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress. “Collectively, these results further support apalutamide as a standard-of-care option for men with high-risk, nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer,” lead study author Dr. Matthew R. Smith, director of the Genitourinary Malignancies Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, said during a presentation at the meeting. In the international SPARTAN study, research...

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer. The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that makes liquid for semen. About 1 out of every 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. This may cause blood in the urine, problems urinating, pain, and weakness. You may have heard of two tests that are often used to look for prostate cancer early, before it causes symptoms. The first is called the prostate-specific antigen blood test. It is also called the PSA test. A man's PSA level may be high if he has prostate cancer, but it can be high for other reasons that are not cancer. The second is called a digital rectal exam. It is also called a DRE. In this test a doctor or nurse inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into a man’s rectum to feel the prostate for anything unusual. Both of these screening tests h...

For the 20th year, a fleet of classic cars revved their engines Saturday in a collective roar for prostate cancer awareness during Cruisin’ for a Cure at the OC Fair & Event Center. While the main goal is to encourage men to get tested for prostate cancer, the event also draws more than 3,500 vintage cars — and their owners, buyers and admirers — to the Costa Mesa fairgrounds for a day of old-fashioned fun. Debbie Baker, 66, created the event in 1999 after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, more than 10,000 men have received free tests, and at least 3,000 of them later underwent further testing that, in many cases, prevented the spread of prostate cancer. Advertisement “It gives me goosebumps when somebody walks up to me at the show and says, ‘Thanks for saving my life last year,’” Baker said. Baker remembers one time when she approached a man and asked if he had gotten the blood test. He protested that he was too young, but she shook her head and dragged ...