General Prostate Cancer News

PCRI is pleased to provide general prostate cancer news items courtesy of CancerConsultants.com Inc. whose mission is “to empower patients with current information on all aspects of the management of Prostate Cancer in order to provide support and hope, as well as to facilitate informed decisions”.

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Prostate Cancer - Early Stage I-II (A-B) News

Death from Other Causes Among Men with Early-stage Prostate Cancer (8/26/2010)
Among men with early-stage prostate cancer, assessment of other health problems may help guide prostate cancer treatment decisions; men who are likely to die of causes other than prostate cancer may not benefit from aggressive prostate cancer treatment. These findings were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Study Explores Prostate Cancer Among Men with Low PSA Levels (7/30/2010)
In a large U.S. cancer database, 14% of prostate cancer diagnoses occurred among men with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 4.0 ng/mL or lower. More than half of these men had cancer that was considered “low-risk,” but roughly three-quarters were treated aggressively with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. These results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Statins May Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer Recurrence (7/2/2010)
Statin use may reduce the risk of prostate cancer recurrence among men who have undergone a radical prostatectomy. These findings were recently published in the journal Cancer.

Watchful Waiting May Be Sufficient in Low-risk Prostate Cancer (6/30/2010)
Active surveillance—sometimes referred to as “watchful waiting”—may be acceptable treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, according to the results of a study published early online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

External Beam Radiation Raises Risk of Hip Fracture in Prostate Cancer (6/8/2010)
Men treated with external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer may have an increased risk of hip fracture, according to data presented at the 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association.

Statin Use May Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer Recurrence (6/3/2010)
It appears that, among men who have undergone radiation therapy for early prostate cancer, use of statins may lower risk of recurrence, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Prostate Cancer Treatment May Leave Lasting Impact on Quality of Life (5/19/2010)
Prostate cancer treatment may have lasting effects on quality-of-life issues related to sexual function and urinary problems, but it doesn’t seem to strongly impact overall quality of life, according to a study published in the Journal of Urology.

PSA Changes May Provide Limited Information during Active Surveillance for Low-risk Prostate Cancer (5/10/2010)
In a study of men with low-risk prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity and doubling time did not reliably identify cancer progression. These findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Weight Gain Increases Risk of Prostate Recurrence (4/27/2010)
Weight gain and obesity—especially among inactive men—may increase the risk of prostate cancer recurrence after a prostatectomy, according to the results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research on April 20, 2010 in Washington D.C

Prostate Cancer and the Increased Risk of Blood Clots (4/23/2010)
Men with prostate cancer are at a higher risk for several types of thromboembolic diseases (blood clots), with men undergoing endocrine therapy having the highest risk, according to the results of a study published in the Lancet Oncology.

Higher-dose Radiation for Prostate Cancer Does Not Increase Long-term Adverse Effects (3/25/2010)
Among men treated with combined photon and proton radiation therapy for early prostate cancer, a higher dose of radiation did not increase the risk of long-term side effects. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

High-dose Radiation Produces Superior Cancer Control in Localized Prostate Cancer (3/23/2010)
High-dose conformal radiation therapy results in better long-term cancer control than conventional-dose radiation therapy for treatment of localized prostate cancer, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Addition of Hormone Therapy to Radiation Improves Survival in Intermediate-risk, Early-stage Prostate Cancer (3/9/2010)
Short-term hormone therapy delivered before and during moderate-dose radiation therapy improves survival and reduces risk of recurrence compared with radiation alone in men with intermediate-risk, early-stage prostate cancer. The results of this Phase III study were presented at the 2010 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco.

Laparoscopic Surgery and Open Surgery Produce Similar Complication Rates in Prostate Cancer (3/3/2010)
Laparoscopic prostatectomy and open radical prostatectomy produce similar outcomes and carry similar rates of postoperative complications, according to the results of a study published in an early online version of the Journal of Urology.

Variability in Prostatectomy Results Not Entirely Explained by Experience of the Surgeon (2/23/2010)
Even among surgeons with a similar degree of experience, rates of prostate cancer recurrence after open radical prostatectomy can vary greatly. These results were published in the Journal of Urology.

Minimally Invasive Prostate Surgery May Have Pros and Cons (10/15/2009)
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, a less invasive surgical procedure that has gained in popularity in recent years, appears to result in shorter hospital stays, fewer blood transfusions, and fewer postoperative respiratory complications than open, retropubic radical prostatectomy, but higher rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

Addition of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Improves Survival with Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer (10/8/2009)
In men with locally advanced prostate cancer, the addition of androgen deprivation therapy to radiation therapy improves overall and progression-free survival without substantially affecting cardiovascular mortality. These results, based on close to 10 years of follow-up, were presented at a European cancer conference.

Obese Men Have Higher-grade and Larger Prostate Cancers (9/21/2009)
Obese men with prostate cancer have higher-grade, larger tumors, according to a study published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.

Cancer Caregivers Devote Substantial Time and Effort (9/9/2009)
On average, informal caregivers of cancer patients devote more than eight hours per day to caregiving. These results were published in Cancer.

Watchful Waiting Appropriate for Some Men with Prostate Cancer (9/8/2009)
Survival among men who choose to delay prostate cancer treatment appears to be similar to survival among men who choose immediate treatment. These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Androgen-deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Increases Risk of Death in Men with Heart Disease (9/1/2009)
Among men with prostate cancer and a history of heart attack or congestive heart failure, receipt of androgen-deprivation therapy prior to radiation therapy increased the risk of death. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

September Is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (8/31/2009)
As the month of September brings prostate cancer into focus, it’s time to increase public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated prostate cancer information throughout the year.

Denosumab Shows Bone Benefits in Two Pivotal Studies (8/11/2009)
Denosumab increases bone mineral density (BMD) and reduces the risk of vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis as well as men treated with androgen deprivation therapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer, according to the results of two pivotal studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

“Watchful Waiting” in Prostate Cancer Does Not Increase Anxiety (8/4/2009)
Men who choose to delay treatment for early prostate cancer do not experience increased anxiety from living with the disease, according to the results of a study published in Cancer.

Diet and Exercise Intervention Produces Results in Long-term Survivors (7/14/2009)
Long-term survivors of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer who participated in a year-long home-based diet and exercise intervention reported a smaller decline in physical function compared with their counterparts who did not participate in the program, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Denosumab Provides Bone Benefits in Prostate and Breast Cancer (6/15/2009)
Among prostate patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy, the investigational drug denosumab increases bone density and reduces the risk of fractures. Denosumab also improves bone density in breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors. These were the results of two studies presented at the 2009 annual meeting the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Stress Management Before Surgery Helps Men with Prostate Cancer (4/22/2009)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, men who received two sessions of stress management before undergoing radical prostatectomy for early-stage prostate cancer reported fewer mood problems before surgery and better quality of life after surgery than men who received usual care.

Prostate Cancer May Cause Men to Neglect Other Health Problems (2/9/2009)
The majority of men with early-stage, low- to moderate-grade prostate cancer die from other causes, which indicates that they would benefit from ongoing screening and prevention for cardiovascular disease and other health conditions, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.

Exercise May Keep Fatigue at Bay in Men Undergoing Radiation for Prostate Cancer (1/27/2009)
Exercise provides at least short-term relief from fatigue for men with prostate cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy—and may result in long-term improvements as well—according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Body Weight and C-Peptide Levels Associated with Risk of Dying from Prostate Cancer (10/20/2008)
Excess body weight coupled with a high C-peptide level among men with prostate cancer is associated with an increased risk of death from the disease. These results were recently published in an early online version of the Lancet Oncology.

Initial Radical Prostatectomy Reduces Prostate Cancer Deaths (8/18/2008)
Patients with early prostate cancer who are treated with initial surgery appear to have reduced death from prostate cancer compared with those who undergo watchful waiting as initial therapy. These results were recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Denosumab Improves Bone Density in Prostate Cancer Patients (7/14/2008)
In a Phase III clinical trial among men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer, treatment with investigational drug denosumab improved bone density and reduced the risk of vertebral fractures.

Immediate Hormone Therapy May Not Improve Outcomes in Elderly Men with Prostate Cancer (7/10/2008)
Treatment with immediate hormone therapy may not improve outcomes compared with conservative management among elderly men with prostate cancer. These results were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Updates in the Management of Prostate and Kidney Cancers (5/6/2008)
A report from the 2008 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

Changes in Lifestyle May Improve Quality of Life for Prostate Cancer Survivors (5/5/2008)
A recent study conducted by the American Cancer Society reports that although few cancer survivors follow recommendations for lifestyle changes aimed to improve health and well-being, adhering to these guidelines may improve quality of life among prostate cancer survivors. Full details of the study were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Satisfaction with Treatment Outcome Reflects Quality of Life Among Prostate Cancer Survivors (3/28/2008)
A recent study indicates that prostate cancer treatment may be associated with changes in quality of life that impact satisfaction with treatment outcomes for both patients and their spouses or partners. These findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Differences in IMRT Radiation Doses May Complicate Study Results in Prostate Cancer (3/18/2008)
Differences between the prescribed dose of radiation in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and the dose that’s actually delivered in prostate cancer treatment may make comparison studies difficult to interpret. These findings were reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Androgen Suppression Improves Outcomes in Some Patients with Early Prostate Cancer (1/23/2008)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, androgen suppression therapy (AST), also referred to as androgen deprivation therapy, in addition to radiation therapy improved survival in some men with early prostate cancer. This improvement was limited to men with high-risk prostate cancer and those without other significant medical conditions.

Treatment “Mismatches” Frequent in Early Prostate Cancer (12/3/2007)
According to the results of a study published in the journal Cancer, men with early prostate cancer often receive treatment that doesn’t appear to fit with their pretreatment levels of urinary, bowel, or sexual function.

Family Intervention Helps Spouses of Prostate Cancer Patients (11/15/2007)
According to the results of a study published in the journal Cancer, a family intervention that offered support and information to prostate cancer patients and their spouses provided important benefits, particularly to the spouses.

Exercise Reverses Bone Loss Caused by Androgen Deprivation for Prostate Cancer Patients (11/7/2007)
According to results presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (ASTRO), walking can reverse the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on bone loss among men with prostate cancer.

Tertiary Grade Influences Risk of Prostate Cancer Recurrence (10/26/2007)
Among prostate cancer patients with a biopsy Gleason score of 7, those with a tertiary grade of 5 are more likely to experience a post-treatment PSA increase (PSA failure) than those without a tertiary grade of 5. These results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Diagnosis and Management of Prostate Cancer: Highlights from the 2007 AUA Annual Meeting (10/15/2007)
At the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), presenters addressed many aspects of the disease from early detection to management of advanced stage. This review attempts to summarize a selection of interesting abstracts presented at the meeting and discuss the possible impact on current management of the disease. 

Prostate Cancer: Updates from the 2007 ASCO Prostate Cancer Symposium (10/15/2007)
The 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Prostate Cancer Symposium covered topics including risk factors, screening, prevention, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a marker, risk assessment, local treatments, biochemical failure, complications of therapy, and developmental therapeutics. 

Radiation Therapy May Not Benefit Prostate Cancer Patients with Negative Margins (10/12/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, men with early prostate cancer who have negative margins following surgery (no signs of cancer on the margins of the tissue that was surgically removed) may not benefit from immediate radiation following surgery.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer Associated with Cardiovascular-related Death (10/10/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes in patients treated for localized prostate cancer.

Surgery May Be Best Treatment for Early Prostate Cancer in Younger Patients (10/9/2007)
According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, surgery appears to improve survival compared with other treatment approaches for early prostate cancer, particularly in young men with more aggressive cancers.

Radiation to the Pelvis Reduces Relapses in Prostate Cancer (8/29/2007)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, radiation administered to the whole pelvis (whole-pelvic radiation) extends biochemical relapse-free survival compared with radiation directed just at the prostate and surrounding tissues among men with early prostate cancer who are at a high risk of developing a recurrence.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy Increases Cardiovascular Risks (7/31/2007)
According to an early online publication of Cancer, androgen deprivation therapy increases cardiovascular risks and may impact survival in men with low-risk prostate cancer.

Experienced Surgeons Have Improved Prostatectomy Outcomes (7/25/2007)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, patients with prostate cancer who have a prostatectomy performed by a more experienced surgeon tend to have better outcomes.

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer May Improve Overall Health of Some Men (5/3/2007)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Urology, men diagnosed with prostate cancer may experience improved health as a result of increased preventive and therapeutic interventions for other medical problems.

Care at High-volume Hospital Doesn’t Eliminate Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer Outcomes (4/30/2007)
According to the results of a study presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), African-American men have a higher rate of prostate cancer recurrence than White men even after accounting for two important measures of the care—hospital volume and physician volume.

Obesity at Diagnosis Results in Poorer Survival Among Prostate Cancer Patients (3/15/2007)
According to an article recently published in the journal Cancer, middle-aged men who are obese at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis have a significantly worse overall survival than those who are not overweight.

Radical Prostatectomy May Provide Highest Survival in Early Prostate Cancer (1/24/2007)
According to an article recently published in the journal Urology, treatment with a radical prostatectomy appears to provide greater survival than radiation or conservative management of early prostate cancer. However, these results need to be confirmed by a clinical trial that directly compares the different treatment modalities.

Brachytherapy plus External-beam Radiation Therapy Provide Impressive Long-term Results for Early Prostate Cancer (1/9/2007)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, the combination of brachytherapy plus external-beam radiation therapy provides low rates of cancer recurrences at 15 years following treatment for early prostate cancer.

Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer Improves Survival in Elderly Men (12/20/2006)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, treatment of localized prostate cancer with radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy results in better survival than observation in men between the ages of 65 and 80 years.

Promising Results Reported for System Monitoring Organ Motion During Radiotherapy (12/12/2006)
At the 2006 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in November there were 10 abstracts presented that describe a new system for measuring and monitoring organ motion in real time during external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Hormone Therapy for Early Prostate Cancer Provides Effective Long-term Results (12/5/2006)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Urology, hormone therapy for patients with early or locally advanced prostate cancer results in impressive long-term outcomes.

Rate of PSA Increase Associated with Prostate Cancer Survival (11/17/2006)
 

AZGP1 Levels May Predict Spread of Prostate Cancer (10/19/2006)
According to an article recently published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, levels of the zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein (ACGP1) may help predict the risk of cancer spread among patients with early prostate cancer.

Cialis® Improves Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (9/27/2006)
According to the results of a study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Cialis® (tadalafil) effectively treats erectile dysfunction in men treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy May Increase Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (9/20/2006)
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist for the treatment of non-metastatic prostate cancer may increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Good Long-term Results with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (9/15/2006)
According to the results of a study published in The Journal of Urology, use of high-dose intensity modulated radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer results in good long-term cancer control.

Initial Hormone Therapy plus Radiation Improves Survival with Prostate Cancer Spread to Lymph Nodes (8/25/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Urology, the addition of initial hormone therapy to radiation therapy improves long-term survival compared to radiation therapy and delayed hormone therapy among patients with early prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

PSA and Gleason Score Predict Death from Early Prostate Cancer (8/8/2006)
According to an article recently published in the journal Cancer, the lowest levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) during therapy combined with Gleason score can be used to predict death from prostate cancer among men with early prostate cancer who undergo local treatment.

Long-term Results After Prostatectomy Show High Survival Among Men with Early Prostate Cancer (7/19/2006)
According to results recently published in the Journal of Urology, death from prostate cancer at 25 years after therapy is low following a radical prostatectomy for patients with early prostate cancer.

Pomegranate Juice May Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer (7/11/2006)
According to results recently published in Clinical Cancer Research, pomegranate juice may significantly slow the progression of early prostate cancer. However, further study is necessary to confirm these findings and determine potential effects on survival.

Obesity Increases Risk of Cancer Recurrence Following Radiation for Prostate Cancer (7/3/2006)
According to an early online publication in the journal Cancer, men with prostate cancer who are obese have approximately twice the risk of experiencing a cancer recurrence following radiation therapy than those who are not obese.

Addition of External Beam Radiation Therapy to Low-dose Rate Brachytherapy May Improve Prostate Cancer Outcomes (6/29/2006)
Among men receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the addition of external beam radiation therapy to low-dose rate brachytherapy reduced the likelihood of rise in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after treatment compared to use of low-dose rate brachytherapy alone. These results were published in the journal Urology.

Urologists Play Large Role in Determining Which Patients Receive Androgen Deprivation Therapy (6/23/2006)
The decision about whether a patient will receive androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer is driven more by the particular urologist a patient sees than by characteristics of the tumor or the patient. These results were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Older Prostate Cancer Patients May Not Benefit from Aggressive Treatment (5/31/2006)
According to the results of a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, aggressive treatment of prostate cancer in men aged 75 or older was linked with worse quality of life and only a small survival benefit.

Radiation Following Surgery Reduces Recurrence in Early Prostate Cancer (5/12/2006)
According to results recently presented at the 47th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), radiation following surgery reduces cancer recurrences in men with early prostate cancer.

High-Volume Hospitals Offer Better Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy and Radical Prostatectomy (5/8/2006)
Among patients undergoing radical cystectomy (removal of bladder) or radical prostatectomy (removal of prostate), the probability of dying during hospitalization was lower at hospitals that performed a greater number of these specific procedures (high-volume hospitals). Hospital volume was not linked with in-hospital mortality after radical nephrectomy (removal of kidney). These results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Radical Prostatectomy Tolerated Well by Older Men (5/5/2006)
A study of prostate cancer patients over the age of 65 found that men who underwent radical prostatectomy reported generally good quality of life after treatment. These results were published in the journal BJU International.

Higher Radiation Dose Reduces Cancer Progression in Prostate Cancer (5/4/2006)
According to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, higher radiation doses reduce the rate of cancer progression at five years among men with early prostate cancer.

Young Men Treated with Radical Prostatectomy Have Good Treatment Outcomes (5/3/2006)
Among men under the age of 60, treatment of localized prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy alone resulted in prolonged cancer-free survival for a majority of men. These results were published in the journal Urology.

PSA Rise During Neoadjuvant Hormone Therapy Associated with Poorer Survival in Prostate Cancer (4/28/2006)
According to an article recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, men with prostate cancer whose prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels rise during hormone therapy given prior to radiation therapy have poorer survival than those whose PSA levels do not rise during this period.

Timing of Androgen Deprivation Therapy Should Be Individualized Among Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Patients (4/20/2006)
According to an article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the timing of initiation of androgen deprivation therapy for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer should be individualized, with each patient weighing individual side effects against outcomes.

Rate of PSA Increase Following Therapy Predictive of Survival in Prostate Cancer (4/10/2006)
According to an article recently published in the Journal of Urology, the rate that it takes for PSA levels to double following therapy is associated with survival outcomes in men with early prostate cancer.

Surgeon Experience Affects Outcomes Following Prostatectomy (3/6/2006)
According to results recently presented at the 2006 American Society of Clinical Oncology Prostate Symposium, patients with prostate cancer have improved results when their prostatectomy is performed by surgeons who have performed a larger number of prostatectomies compared to surgeons who have performed fewer such procedures.

“Androgen Deprivation Syndrome” May Be Due to Factors Other than Androgen Deprivation (3/2/2006)
Although men who receive androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer are more likely than other men to be diagnosed with depression, memory problems, or fatigue, this may be the result of differences in age, cancer stage, and the presence of other serious health problems rather than androgen deprivation by itself. These results were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Delaying Surgery May Not Compromise Outcomes in Men with Small, Slow-Growing Prostate Cancer (3/1/2006)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, delaying the surgical removal of the prostate among men with small, slow-growing prostate cancers may not compromise outcomes. However, it is important for men with early prostate cancer to discuss their individual risks and benefits of all treatment options with their physician.

Early Intervention Improves Survival Compared with Watchful Waiting in Early Prostate Cancer (2/28/2006)
According to results recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) prostate symposium, early treatment with radiation therapy or surgery results in improved long-term outcomes compared to a watchful waiting approach for early prostate cancer.

Brachytherapy as Effective as External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Early Prostate Cancer (2/28/2006)
According to results presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Prostate Cancer Symposium, high-dose brachytherapy appears similarly effective to high-dose external-beam radiation therapy in the treatment of early prostate cancer.

New Formulation of Leuprolide Administered Every Six Months (2/21/2006)
An experimental formulation of leuprolide, administered by injection every six months, safely and effectively reduced serum testosterone levels in men with prostate cancer. These results were published in the Journal of Urology.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy Increases Risk of Insulin Resistance and Hyperglycemia (1/24/2006)
According to a study published in the journal Cancer, prostate cancer patients treated with long-term androgen deprivation therapy have an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), potentially increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Further Data Linking Anti-Androgen Therapy and Fractures in Prostate Cancer (1/17/2006)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology, further data shows an increased risk of fractures in men with prostate cancer who are undergoing hormone therapy.

Intermittent Androgen Ablation Appears Safe and Effective (12/16/2005)
Among men who experience an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) following radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer, intermittent androgen ablation appears to be safe and effective and also limits side-effects and costs. These results were published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.

Obesity Increases Probability of Recurrence After Prostatectomy (12/7/2005)
Men with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or higher have a roughly 69% greater risk of prostate cancer recurrence after radical prostatectomy than normal-weight men, according to a study published in Urology.

Rate of PSA Increase an Important Predictor for Outcomes in Prostate Cancer (11/11/2005)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology, the length of time it takes for levels of prostate-specific antigen levels to rise following a prostatectomy may be an important predictor of outcomes in patients with early prostate cancer.

Zometa® Reduces Bone Loss from Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (11/8/2005)
Zometa® (zoledronic acid) reduces bone loss and promotes bone recovery among prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy, according to results presented at the 2005 annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York.

Radiation Following Surgery Reduces Recurrences in Early Prostate Cancer (10/25/2005)
According to results recently presented at the 47th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), radiation following surgery reduces cancer recurrences in men with early prostate cancer.

Other Medical Conditions Affect Complications from Prostatectomy (10/24/2005)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, complications or death following a prostatectomy are greatly influenced by existing medical conditions (co-morbidities) other than prostate cancer.

Obesity Associated with Cancer Progression Following Prostatectomy in Prostate Cancer (10/12/2005)
According to a recent article published in Clinical Cancer Research, men with early prostate cancer who are obese have a greater risk of cancer progression following a prostatectomy than men who are not obese.

Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Associated with Improved Survival in Prostate Cancer Patients with High PSA Levels (10/12/2005)
According to a recent article published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, long-term androgen deprivation therapy improves overall survival at 5 years when compared with short-term androgen deprivation following radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer who have a prostate-specific antigen level of 20 or higher.

High-Dose Radiation Reduces Risk of Recurrence in Early Prostate Cancer (9/16/2005)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), high doses of radiation therapy reduce the risk of a cancer recurrence more effectively than conventional doses in early prostate cancer.

Lifestyle Changes May Slow Prostate Cancer Progression (9/15/2005)
According to a study published in The Journal of Urology, progression of early, low-grade prostate cancer may be slowed if men make healthful changes to their diet, physical activity level, and stress management techniques.

Radiation Therapy May Be Sufficient for Post-Surgery PSA Increase (9/13/2005)
According to a study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, some prostate cancer patients who experience a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase after radical prostatectomy will have good outcomes after additional treatment with radiation alone. Others may benefit from a combination of radiation and hormonal therapies.

Collagen Injections May Improve Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy (9/13/2005)
Men who have problems with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy may benefit from collagen injections to the tissue around the urethra, according to a study in The Journal of Urology.

Shift in Prostate Cancer Gleason Scores Over Last Decade (9/7/2005)
According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancers today receive a higher Gleason score than the same cancers would have a decade ago; this shift in grade may explain some of the apparent improvement in prostate cancer survival.

Positive Surgical Margins Raise Chance of Prostate Cancer Recurrence (9/7/2005)
After radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, men who have positive surgical margins (evidence that surgery may not have entirely removed the cancer) are more likely to have a prostate cancer recurrence than men who do not have positive surgical margins, according to a study published in The Journal of Urology.

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer Associated with Good Quality of Life (8/29/2005)
According to results recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, men who are treated with brachytherapy for early-stage prostate cancer experience a good quality of life following treatment.

Higher Body Mass Index Associated With Worse Prognosis in Prostate Cancer (8/16/2005)
According to a recent article published in The Journal of Urology, patients with early prostate cancer and a higher body mass index (BMI) have a greater risk of cancer progression following a radical prostatectomy than patients with a lower BMI.

Nursing Intervention Improves Quality of Life for Men with Prostate Cancer (8/11/2005)
Standardized assessments by nurses of patients’ concerns after prostate cancer treatment improve some aspects of patient quality of life, according to a study published in the journal Cancer.

More Patients, Better Outcomes After Surgery for Urological Cancer (8/1/2005)
Patients have better outcomes after surgery for urological cancers (such as prostate or bladder cancer) if they are treated at hospitals or by surgeons that treat a larger number of urological cancer patients, according to an article in The Journal of Urology.

Factors Identified that Increase Risk of Death from Early Prostate Cancer (7/27/2005)
According to two recent articles published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, factors associated with an increased risk of death from prostate cancer have been identified. Patients with factors that place them at a higher risk of a cancer recurrence or death may wish to proceed with more aggressive therapy than patients with a lower risk.

Radical Prostatectomy Versus Watchful Waiting in Early Prostate Cancer (6/1/2005)
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that radical prostatectomy reduces the risks of metastasis (cancer spread) and disease progression among men diagnosed with early prostate cancer, when compared to the approach of watchful waiting. However, some men with early prostate cancer may be at a higher risk of developing cancer progression than others, so patients are encouraged to speak with their physician regarding their individual risks and benefits of each treatment regimen.

Surgery May Provide Benefit Following Radiation in Patients with Recurring Prostate Cancer (5/12/2005)
According to results published in the Journal of Urology, surgery to remove the prostate may provide benefit in terms of progression-free survival in patients with prostate cancer that returns within the prostate following treatment with radiation therapy.

Radiation for Prostate Cancer Increases Risk of Developing Rectal Cancer (4/14/2005)
According to a recent article published in Gastroenterology, patients treated with radiation for prostate cancer have a significantly higher risk of developing rectal cancer than patients who undergo surgery for treatment of their prostate cancer.

Cryosurgery May Be Effective for High-Risk Early Prostate Cancer (4/6/2005)
According to results recently published in the journal Cancer, cryosurgery may be an effective treatment option for patients with high-risk, early prostate cancer who are unwilling to undergo surgery or radiation therapy.

Men with Prostate Cancer on Androgen Deprivation Therapy Not Being Adequately Screened for Bone Loss (1/28/2005)
According to a recent article published in the journal Cancer, men with prostate cancer who are receiving androgen deprivation therapy are not being adequately evaluated or treated for bone loss.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy Increases Risk of Bone Fracture in Prostate Cancer Patients (1/26/2005)
According to results recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, treatment with androgen deprivation therapy increases the risk of bone fractures in men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Higher Dose of Conformal Radiation Provides an Advantage for Patients with Early Stage Prostate Cancer (10/11/2004)
Preliminary results of a U.S. trial indicate that increasing the dose of conformal radiation therapy produces fewer relapses in men with early stage prostate cancer than conventional dose. This advantage was achieved without any increase in either acute or long-term urinary or rectal morbidity (damage).[1] These results were reported in the plenary session of the 46th annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) held in Atlanta GA, Oct 3-7, 2004.

Shorter Duration of Neoadjuvant Androgen Suppression Appears Equivalent to Longer Duration in Early Prostate Cancer (9/21/2004)
According to results recently published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 3 months of androgen suppression prior to radiation therapy appears to be just as effective as an 8-month course in patients with localized prostate cancer. However, longer follow-up may reveal differences between the two treatment courses, particularly in patients who are at a high risk of experiencing a cancer relapse.

Hormone Therapy Plus Radiation Improves Survival in Early Prostate Cancer (8/26/2004)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, hormone therapy used prior to radiation therapy, during radiation therapy, and following radiation therapy improves survival in patients with early prostate cancer compared to radiation therapy alone.

Initial Treatment with Surgery Confers Survival Benefit over Initial Radiation in Patients with Recurrent Prostate Cancer (7/27/2004)
According to a recent article published in The Journal of Urology, men with recurrent prostate cancer appear to have improved survival if their initial treatment was surgery, compared to those whose initial treatment was radiation.

Rate of PSA Rise Prior to Diagnosis Predicts Risk of Death in Patients with Prostate Cancer (7/9/2004)
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, men whose PSA increases at a rapid rate in the year prior to diagnosis of prostate cancer have an increased risk of death following a prostatectomy.

Spinal Anesthesia May Provide Advantages Over General Anesthesia for Prostate Surgery (5/27/2004)

According to results presented at the 2004 annual meeting of the American Urological Association, spinal anesthesia is a reliable practice and may confer some advantages over general anesthesia in patients undergoing a prostatectomy.

Recurrence Rate Similar Between Common Treatments for Early Prostate Cancer (5/7/2004)

Further Evidence Indicating Hormone Therapy Beneficial in Early Prostate Cancer (10/31/2003)
According to results presented at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, further evidence indicates that the addition of immediate hormone therapy to standard therapy appears to improve progression-free survival in patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. ¹

Statins May Improve Responses to Radiation Therapy in Localized Prostate Cancer (10/29/2003)
According to results presented at the 45th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, statins, which are agents used to lower lipid levels, may improve responses to radiation therapy in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Higher Overall Dose of Radiation May be Beneficial for Localized Prostate Cancer (10/28/2003)
According to results presented at the plenary session of the 45th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, a higher overall dose of radiation given over 6.5 weeks may be more beneficial than a lower radiation dose given over 4 weeks for treatment of localized prostate cancer. However, the overall doses used in this particular study were far lower than what has been shown as optimal; therefore, these results may not appropriately convey responses that might be achieved with radiation schedules used at present.

High-Dose Radiation Superior to Conventional Doses in Men under 60 with Prostate Cancer (10/17/2003)
According to a recent article published in The Journal of Urology, higher doses of radiation therapy appear to improve survival compared to conventional doses in men under 60 years with localized prostate cancer.

Addition of Thalomid® to Chemotherapy Promising in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer (10/16/2003)
According to results presented at the 2003 European Conference on Clinical Oncology (ECCO), the addition of Thalomid® to combination chemotherapy appears promising in the treatment of advanced, hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Cialis Improves Erectile Dysfunction Caused by Surgery for Prostate Cancer  (10/15/2003)
According to results presented at the annual meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society, the agent Cialis (tadalafil) improves erectile dysfunction in patients who have undergone a surgical procedure for prostate cancer.

Zometa® Reduces Bone Loss in Prostate Cancer Patients (5/19/2003)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology, Zometa® (zoledronic acid) appears to reduce bone loss in men with prostate cancer being treated with androgen deprivation therapy.

Pilot Study Suggests Lycopene Supplementation May Benefit Localized Prostate Cancer Patients, But More Research Needed (4/29/2003)
According to an article recently published in Experimental Biology and Medicine, lycopene supplementation prior to surgery may reduce the severity of cancer in prostate cancer patients.

Prostate Cancer Patients Appear Not to Experience Genetic Damage from Soy Isoflavones (4/3/2003)
According to an article recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, soy isoflavones appear not to damage DNA of cancer patients or healthy volunteers.

Fewer Complications Following Prostatectomy with High-Volume Surgeons (2/17/2003)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, patients undergoing radical prostatectomies appear to have fewer complications and shorter hospital stays if their surgeon performs large volumes of prostatectomies each year. ¹ These findings are consistent with a previous study evaluating surgical side effects of a prostatectomy and the annual surgical volume of a physician. ²

Shiitake Mushroom Extract Does Not Appear Effective for Treating Prostate Cancer (1/16/2003)
According to an article recently published in Urology, shiitake mushroom extract (SME) failed to produce significant anti-cancer responses in patients with prostate cancer.

Initial Prostatectomy in Early-Stage Prostate Cancer May Improve Cancer-Free Survival Compared to Watchful Waiting (9/13/2002)
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, patients with early-stage prostate cancer who are initially treated with a radical prostatectomy appear to have improved cancer-free survival, but equivalent overall survival, compared to patients who initially undergo watchful waiting.

Earlier Prostatectomy may Lead to Improved Survival in Subsequent Metastatic Prostate Cancer (8/30/2002)
According to a recent article in the Journal of Urology, earlier treatment with a radical prostatectomy may improve long-term outcomes in patients who develop metastatic prostate cancer; however, further trials that directly compare different treatment regimens are warranted.

Radical Prostatectomy and Radiation Therapy Provide Equivalent Outcomes in Localized Prostate Cancer (8/27/2002)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a radical prostatectomy and external-beam radiation therapy appear to provide equivalent disease-free survival in patients with localized prostate cancer.

MRI May Be More Reliable Than Biopsy for Determining Prostate Recurrence (8/27/2002)
According to results published in Hematology/Oncology Today and presented at the 102nd Annual American Roentgen Ray Society Meeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appears to predict prostate cancer recurrences earlier than a prostate biopsy in patients previously treated for prostate cancer who have a rising PSA level.

Men Younger Than Age 60 May Have More Aggressive Prostate Cancer (8/16/2002)
According to a recent article published in the The Journal of Urology, men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are under the age of 60 may have more aggressive cancer than their older counterparts. These patients may wish to consider more aggressive treatment to reduce the risk of a cancer relapse.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer (8/5/2002)
According to a recent article in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology- Biology-Physics, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) appears to be safe and effective treatment for localized prostate cancer.

Hormonal Therapy During and After Radiation Improves Survival in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer (7/22/2002)
According to a recent article published in The Lancet, hormonal therapy during and after radiation appears to reduce cancer recurrences and improve survival in patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to distant sites in the body.

Endorectal Coil MRI Improves Accuracy for Placement of Seed Implants in Prostate Cancer (7/9/2002)
According to an article published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appears to improve the accuracy of seed implant placement for patients being treated for prostate cancer.

Addition of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging Improves Accuracy in Determining Extent of Prostate Cancer (7/3/2002)
According to an article published in the journal Radiology, the addition of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging to conventional endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves the accuracy in determining the extent of prostate cancer in patients, which may ultimately lead to optimal treatment decisions.

"Watchful Waiting" for Selected "Good Risk" Men with Prostate Cancer May Be an Appropriate Approach to Therapy (5/7/2002)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of Urology, watchful waiting may be an appropriate option for select patients with prostate cancer.

Some Side Effects of Radical Prostatectomy Reduced if Surgeon Performs Many Procedures (4/18/2002)
According to a recent article published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the risk of some side effects caused by a radical prostatectomy appear to be reduced if a patient is treated at a high-volume hospital and by a surgeon who performs a high volume of procedures annually.

PC-SPES and SPES Herbal Supplements Recalled (3/7/2002)
According to recall notices issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) and BotanicLab, consumers should immediately stop using PC-SPES and SPES herbal supplements. Laboratory testing conducted by DHS identified undeclared prescription medications in these formulas that could cause serious side effects, particularly if combined with other prescribed medications.

Bisphosphonates May Prevent Bone Loss For Prostate Cancer Patients (2/22/2002)
According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the use of the bisphosphonates may help prevent bone loss caused by androgen-deprivation therapy in men with prostate cancer.

Antiandrogen Prevents Disease Progression in Early-Stage Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
Results from a large clinical trial indicate that the antiandrogen, bicalutamide, prevents cancer progression in patients with early stage prostate cancer, as recently reported at the 96 ^th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association.

Predictors of Recurrence Identified Following Radical Prostatectomy (2/22/2002)
For patients with prostate cancer, the Gleason score combined with pathological category (extent of disease) following a radical prostatectomy are factors which appear to most accurately predict the risk for recurrence following surgery, according to a recent article published in the journal Cancer. Patients at a high risk of experiencing a recurrence according to these factors may benefit from novel adjuvant therapies, while patients considered to have a low risk may be spared from unnecessary treatment.

Erectile Dysfunction Still a Significant Side Effect of Prostate Cancer Treatment (2/22/2002)
More than 80% of patients treated for prostate cancer subsequently suffer from erectile dysfunction, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Urology.

Novel Agent Appears Promising for Treatment of Some Cancers (2/22/2002)
A novel anti-cancer drug, CCI-779, has shown promise in safely producing anti-cancer responses in patients with some types of advanced cancers. ( European Society of Medical Oncology, 2000).

Biopsy Results Help Predict Risk for Recurrence in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. A recent emphasis in determining the most effective treatment strategy has been focused on individualizing therapy for each patient according to differing biological characteristics of the cancer. There are 2 important benefits of individualizing therapy: 1) the achievement of optimal treatment strategies for each patient; and 2) the sparing of some patients from unnecessary treatment.

The Addition of Brachytherapy to External Beam Radiation May Improve Outcomes for Persons with Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. Treatment depends on the stage, or extent of spread of the disease, but may consist of surgery, delaying treatment until the cancer progresses, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, biologic therapy (utilizing the body’s immune system to fight cancer), and/or chemotherapy. Patients with advanced localized prostate cancer have cancer that has spread outside the prostate, but not to distant sites in the body. A common form of treatment for these patients is external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), in which high-dose x-rays from a machine are aimed at the affected area. Another form of radiation therapy, called brachytherapy, involves the placement of small “seeds” of radioactive material directly into the prostate gland. Brachytherapy has been used extensively to treat earlier stage prostate cancer and has recently emerged as potential augmentation to EBRT for patients with advanced localized prostate cancer. Results from a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggest that the use of brachytherapy in addition to EBRT may be more effective treatment than EBRT alone for patients with advanced localized prostate cancer.

Patients with Prostate Cancer Who Choose to Delay Treatment Require Routine Follow Ups (2/22/2002)
Patients with localized prostate cancer find themselves in a difficult and often perplexing situation. Several seemingly equivalent treatment options exist, so the choice of treatment becomes a very personal decision. Some patients will choose to undergo aggressive treatment, while others will choose to delay treatment until further cancer progression. Commonly, treatment for small, localized cancers may include surgery, delayed treatment until cancer progression, hormonal therapy, and/or radiation therapy.

Hospitals that Perform Large Numbers of Radical Prostatectomies for Prostate Cancer Show Lower Related Deaths (2/22/2002)
Hospitals at which a large number of radical prostatectomies are performed for prostate cancer have fewer surgery-related deaths, shorter hospital stays, and lower costs, according to a recent study from Dartmouth University.

Chemotherapy Before Prostatectomy May Allow More Complete Removal of Cancer for Some Persons with Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. One of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer is a surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, but this procedure is more difficult for cancers that have spread outside the prostate area. Now, researchers in Texas have developed a strategy of using chemotherapy before surgery, which may allow these cancers to be reduced to a size at which they can be completely removed during a prostatectomy.

Sexual and Urinary Function Evaluated in Men Treated for Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
The treatment options for prostate cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or hormone therapy, depending on the stage (extent) of disease. For many persons with prostate cancer, the choice of treatment relies not only on which therapy will most effectively fight the disease, but also on which therapy will offer the best quality of life. Now, researchers from Missouri say that 6 years after diagnosis, most men are no longer bothered by problems with urinary function, but do experience some difficulty with sexual function, regardless of the type of treatment they received.

Elevated PSA Levels after Surgery May Be Suppressed by Radiation Therapy (2/22/2002)
Radiation therapy for persons who have elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after surgery appears, in many cases, to result in the suppression of PSA levels for 5 or more years. This finding, from researchers in Minnesota, is important because an elevated PSA level is 1 of the most important indications that previous treatment may not have succeeded entirely and more treatment is needed.

Sildenafil (Viagra) May Help Reverse Impotence after Treatment for Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. Two of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer are surgery and radiation therapy. While these therapies are often effective, they can be associated with side effects such as difficulty with urinary and/or sexual function. Now, several studies show that the use of sildenafil (Viagra) may help reverse impotence in men who suffer this condition after cancer treatment.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer: Radiation Therapy is Linked to a Small Increase in Second Cancers (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. Radiation therapy and surgery, for example, are thought to be treatments of similar effectiveness for persons with localized prostate cancer (cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body). Now, researchers report that radiation therapy, compared with surgery, is associated with a small increased risk for developing second cancers 5 to 15 years after treatment. This slight increased risk may not play a significant role in treatment choices for older men, but may be a consideration for younger men with prostate cancer.

Surgery and Radiation Therapy Are Equally Effective Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. Two of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer are radiation therapy and a surgical procedure, called a radical prostatectomy. Researchers have been comparing these 2 approaches to determine which is the most effective. Now, a study in the January 2000 issue of Cancer shows that radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy are equally effective treatments against localized prostate cancer.

A Surgery for Prostate Cancer, Called Radical Prostatectomy, Is Associated with Urinary Control and Impotence (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. One of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer is a surgical procedure, called a radical prostatectomy. Researchers have been comparing the different treatment options for prostate cancer to determine which is the most effective and which is associated with the fewest side effects. Researchers from the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study now report that many men who receive a radical prostatectomy subsequently have difficulty with sexual and urinary function.

Radical Prostatectomy and Radiation Therapy Produce Similar Results for Treatment of Low-Risk Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
Radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy appear to produce similar results for the treatment of persons with prostate cancer who have PSA scores of 10.0 ng/mL or less and Gleason scores of 6 or less before treatment. This news comes from Michigan researchers who compared the 2 treatment strategies in 382 men with prostate cancer.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test Levels Should Define Success (2/22/2002)
There are many treatment options available for persons with prostate cancer. One of the most common treatments for localized prostate cancer is radiation therapy, using high-energy radiation with either an external beam or a radioactive implant that is placed in the prostate gland. While this therapy is effective, some men still have a recurrence (or return) of the cancer. For this reason, researchers are investigating different types of tests that can help determine whether treatment has been successful and predict whether a recurrence of cancer is likely or unlikely. Researchers from Georgia say that a test for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can help make this determination.

The treatment of early stage prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) appears superior to interstitial radiation therapy except in selected circumstances. (2/22/2002)
Patients with early stage prostate cancer find themselves in a difficult and often perplexing situation. Several seemingly equivalent treatment options exist and no well-done clinical studies are available to help patients sort out the various treatment options. The 3 main choices are surgery (radical prostatectomy), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT, or interstitial radiation therapy using implantable seeds into the prostate gland. In addition to each therapy being associated with different side effects or complications of therapy, it is currently unclear whether one treatment is superior with regard to managing the prostate cancer.

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy delivers a greater radiation dose and may improve management of prostate cancer. (2/22/2002)
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. Following EBRT, persistence or recurrence of cancer within the prostate occurs in up to 50% of cases. Radiation doses delivered to the prostate gland have traditionally been limited by toxicity to the rectum and bladder. Newer computer systems utilizing three-dimension conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) techniques may allow delivery of an increased radiation dose to the cancer while minimizing toxicity to surrounding normal organs. In order to determine whether higher radiation doses are safe and feasible, a clinical study was designed to test four radiation dose levels using 3D-CRT in patients with localized prostate cancer.

Radiation implant therapy appears promising for treatment of early stage prostate carcinoma. (2/22/2002)
With the improvements in screening for prostate cancer, many men will be diagnosed with earlier prostate cancer than in the past. With advances in prostate imaging and computer treatment planning, interstitial brachytherapy (radiation implants) appears effective for treatment of early stage, low to moderate grade prostate cancer. Implant therapy is attractive to many patients given the relative ease of outpatient treatment. Doctors from Seattle reported the results of interstitial brachytherapy for treatment of localized prostate cancer at their institution.

Higher Radiation Doses Cure More Patients with Prostate Cancer (2/22/2002)
Cancer of the prostate, a male sex gland located near the bladder and rectum, is a type of cancer that occurs commonly in older men. Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage of disease (extent of disease at the time of diagnosis), and may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and/or biologic therapy to help the immune system fight the cancer.

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