Prostate Cancer

"I think the main take-home message from our study is that this is a really powerful prognostic prediction tool," says Charles Parker, MD.

“These findings suggest that to reduce health disparities for Veterans in the prevention of prostate cancer, clinicians should consider an individual Veteran’s risk for prostate cancer including factors such as race and age," says Kyung Min Lee, PhD.

"This large registry study with data from varied practice settings, incorporating the most commonly used treatment modalities, provides useful data on the long-term mortality outcomes," writes Badar M. Mian, MD.

“I think the takeaway from the active surveillance [session] is that we've increased the utilization of active surveillance for low-risk appropriate men,” says David S. Morris, MD, FACS.

Analysis of SpaceOAR trial and pooled data found reduced penile bulb radiation dose correlated with better preservation of sexual function over long-term follow-up, suggesting rectal spacers help maintain erectile function in some men with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

The Phase 3 trials for the Barrigel and BioProtect rectal spacers demonstrated a dosimetric advantage and reduced rectal toxicity similar to SpaceOAR, but data on long-term toxicity and patient-reported outcomes is still needed to fully evaluate the newer spacers.

In the third article of the series, Melanie McGilloway, NP-C, an advanced practice provider at Genesis Urology in San Diego, discusses the various formulations of leuprolide, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist used for treating advanced prostate cancer.

"The biggest thing that we're seeing in prostate cancer now, and I think will continue to evolve, is really getting into narrowing our different types and stratifying patients differently," says Benjamin H. Lowentritt, MD, FACS.

"Keeping up-to-date is challenging, and rapid progress that is now occurring in our field is truly amazing," writes Michael S. Cookson, MD, MMHC, FACS.

"There are a couple of really exciting directions we want to take this work in," says Charles Parker, MD.

The SpaceOAR rectal spacer phase 3 trial showed reduced toxicity and improved quality of life, leading to FDA approval, but device-related side effects have emerged with broader clinical use.

Dr Hamstra describes the three FDA-approved rectal spacers SpaceOAR, Barrigel, and BioProtect, noting differences in placement technique, advantages, potential risks, and the need for long-term clinical data on patient outcomes.

David Albala, MD, shares closing advice on using PSMA-PET scans in prostate cancer management and making informed patient selection decisions based on guidelines and practical insights.

Explore strategies for seamless coordination between urologists and medical oncologists to ensure uninterrupted, patient-focused care in prostate cancer treatment.

Explore the coordinated approach between urologists and medical oncologists to ensure smooth transitions and ongoing care for patients receiving combination therapies in prostate cancer treatment.

Join experts David Morris, MD, FACS, and Benjamin Garmezy, MD, as they discuss the barriers and considerations in prescribing triplet therapy, offering insight into its benefits and how collaborative care between urologists and medical oncologists ensures a seamless patient journey.

Discover considerations for doublet or triplet therapy in advanced prostate cancer, analyzing the benefits and manageable added toxicity, as discussed by renowned experts in the field.

Join key opinion leaders as they analyze the evolving landscape of metastatic HSPC, delving into the advantages and key factors to consider with triplet combination therapies, encompassing chemotherapy and ARPI agents.

Explore the evolving landscape of hormone therapies in prostate cancer treatment with insights from expert physicians as they delve into the latest options, indications, and their impact on patient care.

Dr Daniel Allan Hamstra discusses common adverse reactions in patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy, including urinary issues and sexual side effects, and explains the potential impact of rectal spacer devices like SpaceOAR in addressing these concerns.

Daniel Allan Hamstra, MD, PhD, FASTRO, FASCO, discusses the importance of rectal spacers in reducing side effects and improving quality-of-life during radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

“It was interesting to find that when Black and White men were provided equal access to the same therapies, given at the same dosage and monitored in the same setting, disparities in outcomes were eliminated," says Jun Gong, MD.

"We're pleased to report that there was a strong prognostic signal we found with the overall cohort," says Charles Parker, MD.

The FDA’s Fast Track designation is designed to expedite the review and development of novel treatments that will fill an unmet medical need.

Patients were nearly twice as likely to develop urinary symptoms and urinary frequency when their prostatic urethra was greater than 4.6 cm in length.