On Prostate Cancer: New Technologies in Diagnosis and Treatment

PROSTATE CANCER is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and the fourth leading cancer among Filipino male.

You may be at risk

If you are 50 y/o and above; have a family history pf prostate cancer; or have an elevated PSA

Early Detection is Key

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test together with a Digital Rectal Examination and a prostate ultrasound are the best ways to detect Prostate Cancer in its early stage.

New Technologies

Diagnosis

MRI-Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy System combines the images from an MRI scan together with that from the Ultrasound to produce a 3D mapping of the prostate allowing highly precise targeting during a prostate biopsy critical for accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, how much it has spread and your overall health, as well as the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment.

A. Active Surveillance:

For men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary right away. Some men may never need treatment. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance.

In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and possibly biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer. If tests show your cancer is progressing, you may opt for a prostate cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation.

B. Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy:

Robotic Prostatectomy is the most advanced platform that allows complete and accurate removal of the cancerous prostate with better preservation of continence and erection. This minimally invasive technique provides multiple benefits to the patient such as less scarring, less pain, less blood loss, lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery time and return to work and normal activity.

C. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Prostate cancer radiation therapy can be delivered in two ways

a. Radiation that comes from outside of your body (external beam radiation).During external beam radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around your body, directing high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to your prostate cancer. You typically undergo external beam radiation treatments five days a week for several weeks.

b. Radiation placed inside your body ( HDR brachytherapy). High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy uses a relatively intense source of radiation (typically 10 Curie source made of Iridium 192) delivered through temporarily-placed applicators. The source is usually attached to (or embedded in) the end of a wire or cable

See a Urologist today!

For appointments, please call the Stone and Prostate Treatment Service Quezon City at 723-0101 ext. 5425 and Stone and Prostate Disease Service Global City at 789-7700 ext. 1019.

Visit www.stluke.com.ph for more information.

By Dr. Dennis Lusaya and Dr. Dennis Serrano