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Scientists Determine That There May Be Five Types of Prostate Cancer

English scientists say that there are five distinct types of prostate cancer, and they’ve found a way to distinguish between them. This research could possibly lead to better treatments of the disease because doctors would be able to know which tumors are more likely to grow and spread.
The team, from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, studied samples of healthy and cancerous prostate tissue from more than 250 men. To group the tumors into five distinct types, they looked for abnormal chromosomes and measured the activity of 100 different genes linked to prostate cancer.

In the journal EBioMedicine, they say this form of analysis was more accurate at picking up the most aggressive types of prostate cancer than tests currently used by doctors, including the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. But further and larger trials are needed to confirm the findings, they say.

Dr. Alastair Lamb, one of the researchers, calls the results exciting. “These findings could help doctors decide on the best course of treatment for each individual patient, based on the characteristics of their tumor,” he says in a statement.”By carrying out more research into how the different diseases behave, we might be able to develop more effective ways to treat prostate cancer patients in the future, saving more lives.”
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in U.S. men, behind skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2015, the society estimates, about 220,800 new cases will be diagnosed, and about 27,540 men will die. About 1 man in 7 is diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, according to the society.

Expert: Research Could Be a Game-Changer

“The challenge in treating prostate cancer is that it can either behave like a pussycat — growing slowly and unlikely to cause problems in a man’s lifetime — or a tiger, spreading aggressively and requiring urgent treatment,” says Professor Malcolm Mason, Cancer Research UK’s prostate cancer expert. “But at the moment we have no reliable way to distinguish them. This means that some men may get treatment they don’t need, causing unnecessary side effects, while others might benefit from more intensive treatment.
“This research could be game-changing if the results hold up in larger clinical trials, and could give us better information to guide each man’s treatment — even helping us to choose between treatments for men with aggressive cancers. Ultimately this could mean more effective treatment for the men who need it, helping to save more lives and improve the quality of life for many thousands of men with prostate cancer.”

Chemotherapy in combination with hormone therapy in advanced prostate cancer

A new study has concluded that chemotherapy at the start of hormone therapy can extend the lives of men with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland.

Over nearly 29 months of follow-up, men with advanced prostate cancer who received the combination therapy lived almost 14 months longer than men who received only hormone therapy (58 months versus 44 months), researchers said.

Men who have hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer should consider speaking with their doctors about having this combination treatment to significantly prolong their survival. For 50 years, hormone therapy has been the standard care for these patients, but adding chemotherapy to hormone therapy may be worth doing because even though it’s not a cure, it could very well improve survival and quality of life.

The study was funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, and the report was published Aug. 5 online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

For the study, 790 men with prostate cancer, average age 63 were randomly assigned to have either chemotherapy plus hormone therapy or hormone therapy alone.

In addition to the survival benefit, men who received the combination of chemotherapy and hormone therapy saw their cancer remain dormant for more than 20 months before it began to progress, compared with close to 12 months among those who only received hormone therapy, researchers found.

The side effects of the chemotherapy were mild, in general. Fatigue, low white blood cell count and infection were the most common side effects, the study said.

One of the criteria for the treatment is that patients should be able to handle the chemotherapy. If they have other conditions such as liver or kidney disease, they should not be getting chemotherapy. In the study, the greatest benefit was seen in men who had four or more tumors outside the prostate.

Other studies have confirmed these findings.

Prostate Cancer Facts

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms and treatment options for prostate cancer so you can detect and treat it as early as possible.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland, which is a small, walnut-sized structure that is part of the man’s reproductive system. Though there are some cases of prostate cancer that are more aggressive, prostate cancer usually grows slowly and remains confined to the prostate gland.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer in its early stages might not cause noticeable symptoms. As it becomes more advanced, it may cause symptoms including:

  • Discomfort in the pelvic area
  • Blood in both semen and urine
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Pain in lower back
  • Pain in hips or thighs
  • Light stream of urine

Treating Prostate Cancer

Treatment options for prostate cancer depend greatly on the stage the cancer is at. The stages of prostate cancer include:

  • Stage I – During this stage, the cancer isn’t considered aggressive. During this stage, your physician may decide that treatment isn’t necessary and may choose to simply monitor the cancer.
  • Stage II – Cancer at this stage may still be considered aggressive. It may be larger and may involve both sides of the prostate gland.
  • Stage III – The cancer has spread from the prostate gland to other nearby tissues.
  • Stage IV – During stage IV, the cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the bladder or lymph nodes.

Depending on the stage of the prostate cancer, your physician may choose radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery to remove the prostate, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Preparing for Surgery

In the days and weeks leading up to your surgery, you will need to start preparing yourself, both mentally and physically. Any surgery can be stressful, but with enough preparation, much of your anxiety will go away.

Educating Yourself

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for surgery is by learning about the surgical procedure and asking questions of your doctor. Well-informed patients are often more satisfied with the results of their surgery. Before you arrive at the hospital:

  • Meet with your doctor and anesthesiologist. Some hospitals include this as part of the pre-operative assessment.
  • Ask many questions of your doctor and anesthesiologist, such as about the risk of complications, healing time, type of anesthesia that will be used and the best ways to speed your recovery.

 

Attending Your Pre-Operative Assessment

Many hospitals require that you meet with a doctor or nurse before your surgery—either in person or over the phone—one or more days before your operation. During this meeting, you will be asked about:

  • Your health
  • Your medical history
  • Results of previous tests
  • Medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you are taking.

You may also be required to have pre-surgery blood tests. Be sure to follow any directions that your doctor gives you, such as fasting before surgery, when to stop taking your usual medications and what to bring with you.

Fasting Before Surgery

You may be required to stop drinking or eating before your surgery. It’s important that you follow your doctor’s instructions because having food or liquid in your stomach can cause you to vomit during or after surgery.

Packing For Your Trip

Pack an overnight bag with the essentials, such as:

  • Nightgown or pajamas
  • Day clothes and clean underwear
  • Toiletries, including razor and travel-sized bath products
  • Books or magazines
  • Small amount of money
  • Your usual medications

Bring loose-fitting clothes to wear after your surgery. Button-down shirts will be easier to put on than pullovers. Pants with elastic bands may be more comfortable after surgery.

Getting To and From the Hospital

After surgery, you may not feel well enough to drive yourself home. Make arrangements with your friends or family beforehand. Some hospitals may provide assistance with transportation after surgery.

Preparing Your Home for Recovery

When you arrive home after your surgery, the last thing you want to do is worry about shopping for food or cleaning your house. Stock up on healthy foods, buy extra personal hygiene products and medical supplies, and change the linens on your bed.
Take care of these things before your surgery, or ask a friend or family member to help you during your recovery. This may include asking someone to stay at your house to keep an eye on you.

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Having a healthy lifestyle can speed your recovery after surgery, and reduce the complications and pain associated with surgery. Make changes to your life before surgery, as soon as possible:

  • Eat healthier: increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, cut back on foods high in saturated fats and reduce your intake of processed meats.
  • Exercise more: Most guidelines suggest at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
  • Reduce your alcohol intake (or stop completely) at least 1 month before surgery. Alcohol can interact with anesthesia and cause excessive bleeding or liver damage.
  • Stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery. Smoking increases the risk of infection and surgery complications. Quitting before surgery can also help you heal faster.

Sponsoring North Oaks Golf Club Tournament in September with da Vinci Robot

north-oaks-golf-club

On September 16th, 2013, we will be sponsoring the North Oaks Golf Club Tournament to promote prostate cancer awareness. This is slated to be a big event and the da Vinci Surgical Robot is to be on display for demonstration. Dr. Gaertner and Dr. Knoedler will be present as sponsors of this event.

Sponsoring the Kilkarney Hills Golf Tournament for Prostate Cancer Awareness

We are proud to sponsor the Kilkarney Hills Golf Tournament to be held on June 17th, 2013 in River Falls, WI for prostate cancer awareness.

Kilkarney Hills Golf course opened in 1994 and is located in beautiful River Falls, WI. This tournament will be held to promote prostate cancer awareness.

More information to follow

When to Ask for a Surgical Second Opinion

No one wants to find out that they need surgery. There can be many scary unknowns. However, there are times when an operation is an absolute must to relieve pain, cure conditions, and restore health. If you have come to that point and your doctor has just informed you that you need surgery, you may feel a little overwhelmed or afraid.

Although your doctor may be 100% right that you need a surgical procedure, there is always room for human error or opinion-based decisions. There are times when a second opinion should not be just thought of as an option—it should be considered a must. How do you know when it’s the right idea to get a second opinion?

There is No Rule

There is no specific rule that gives you a clear-cut line when you should get a second opinion. However, there are some things you should discuss with your doctor or research on the Internet. Asking the right questions will tell you a few things.

  • Why do you think I need this operation?
  • Are there other alternative options to surgery to consider?
  • What would happen if I chose not to have surgery?
  • What are the risks and dangers of this surgery?
  • Will the operation completely improve my condition or will I still have problems?
  • Will there be negative changes to my body as a direct result of the surgery?
  • Are you 100% confident that surgery is my only option?

If you can, get these answers from your doctor.

It is Your Decision

The bottom line is, it is your decision. Even if you cannot find any other option but surgery, there is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion to ensure that it’s the right option for you. Often if you are having trouble committing to the surgery, then hearing the same advice from another expert can confirm what you know and help you go ahead with that decision.

When should you get a second opinion? Often, you will want to consult another professional if there is any waver or if there are any other treatment options. Bottom line – it is your decision.