Every
year’s Conference presents recurring themes.
This year’s focus was prevention, combination treatment and timeliness
were emphasized. We live in an era of exploding technological progress. It is a
delightful problem to have a wealth of new treatment options and diagnostic
tools. However, just like buying a new
car or a new smart phone, it takes a little time to learn the ropes and fully
exploit the complete range and capabilities of the new technology. A short blog can’t cover everything from a
three-day conference. Here are a few
comments.
Dr.
Dan Margolis, an expert on prostate imaging from UCLA, presented information on
3 Telsa, multi-parametric MRI’s capacity as a substitute for random needle
biopsy in men with elevated PSA who have never been previously diagnosed with
prostate cancer. MRI offers the
advantage of being equally or more accurate than random biopsy without relying
on invasive techniques.
Dr.
Chuck Drake, from John Hopkins, the preeminent expert in the world on immune
therapy for prostate cancer, presented exciting data on how many of the new
immune drugs work synergistically when given in combination. “Synergism” means that when either drug is
given by itself the anticancer effect is rather modest. But when the two drugs are given in
combination, the anticancer effect is multiplied. Provenge has already been FDA approved for prostate cancer. Hopefully Yervoy will also be an approved indication for prostate cancer in the
next six to 12 months. The combination
of these two drugs together offers immense hope for jumpstarting immunologic
treatment for prostate cancer.
Dr.
John Mulhall, the expert in the world on sexuality and prostate cancer from
Memorial Sloan Kettering, spent a lot of time emphasizing mindfulness in the selection
of treatment. In other words, he was saying that it is better to minimize damage
by selecting the least toxic form of prostate cancer treatment than trying to
fix an already established problem.
Dr.
Peter Grimm, sometimes called “The Father of Seed Implant Therapy,” delivered a
candid overview of the world of radiation therapy, emphasizing the improved
cure rates and reduced toxicity seed implant therapy offers. He also spoke on how increased financial
incentives to do IMRT, Proton therapy and SBRT, distorts the decision making
process and slants treatment away from seed implants.
This
is only the briefest of overviews and no words can express all the fun and
games that Dr. Mark Moyad injected into the proceedings. I can only say that
initial feedback from the attendees was extremely positive.
2015
PCRI Conference DVDs, which include all the presentations, will be available in
six weeks at a suggested donation of $150. For more information, email: info@pcri.org. In
addition, the PCRI will be presenting its second annual Mid-Year Update, March
26, 2016, an afternoon of educational sessions in developments in the prostate
cancer world. Laurence Klotz, MD who has been called “The Father of Active
Surveillance” will be one of the speakers. Learn more at: www.pcri.org/2016-mid-year-update
2 comments:
Someone close to me is struggling with advanced prostate cancer and we are just lost. The current oncologist has not been encouraging at all and does not give very much information. It is like he is just giving us a checklist, do this, do that, may work, may not, this thing only extends life 4 months, maybe you have 3 to 5 years, who knows. We feel like we are numbers not people. When we ask questions, he says anyone other doctor would say the same thing which may or may not be true. The worst part is he has given no hope to the person struggling with this. This person wishes he had found your book sooner but really loves the encouragement in it. Is there any way to find out who might be a really good prostate cancer expert in our area? Do you have any way of telling us that? I will check back each day and see the comments unless you have another way for me to contact you via email. Thank you so very much for your time! Your blog has been so immensely helpful for us!
Thank you for your comment, I would connect with www.pcri.org // Call the Helpline at (800) 641 - 7274 or email: help@pcri.org for information on prostate experts.
Post a Comment