Focal therapy: Good for the right patients--but watch out for the snake-oil salesmen pitching to Gleason 6 patients, Dr. Klotz.
In 2010, when I was diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, the surgeon, who I call “The Notorious Dr RP,” who offered me about a half dozen options, including surgery and radiation.
Ironically, Active Surveillance wasn’t on the list. And he rejected it when I mentioned it. (He now does AS, BTW.)
But RP did mention cryotherapy—a form of localized therapy. to remove lesions. Cold and heat can kill cancers. These are all called focal therapy—an intermediate choice between aggressive treatment and AS.
It wasn’t for me—but if you have more aggressive cancer, it could be a safe option that offers a trifecta—retaining sexual function, retain continence, and freeze or cook your more aggressive cancer. (If you’re a hockey fan, call it a hat trick.O
In recent years, focal therapy has been making gains.
Dr. Laurence Klotz, of the University of Toronto, was the “father of AS,” —and also a hockey player—but he also has been a pioneer in focal therapy.
(Dr. Laurence Klotz with his Chodak Bowl for his pioneering work awarded by Ative Surveillance Patients International.)
He told an AnCan Foundation webinar Aug. 31 that focal therapy is a a great option for the right patient. He said about 25% of the 288,000 U.S. men diagnosed with prostate cancer in a given year have intermediate-risk, Gleason 3+4 and are candidates for some sort of focal therapy or potentially AS.
Klotz emphasized that focal therapy is NOT—NOT—for men with low-risk Gleason 6 prostate. Active Surveillance is our best choice.
Sme urologists may recommend focal therapy for patients with high-volume Gleason 6 prostate cancer, with three or more lesions. (Klotz doesn’t.)
Caveat Gleason 6 prostate cancer patients, Some hucksters may do a sales job to ttry to talk you into focal therapy you may not needf and that may not be covered by insurance. Watch out for the snake-oil salesmen, as Klotz put it.
“Focal therapy is snake oil for GG 1 (Gleason 6). It’s not for aggressive disease,” he said.
To view the free webinar, please click here - https://ancan.org/webinar-is-focal-therapy-right-for-your-prostate-cancer/
Talking about webinars:
—Catch ASPI’s webinar with Dr. Stacy Loeb, of NYU, on lifestyle factors, such as diet. Great talk on plant-based diet: https://aspatients.org/meeting/as-101-program-on-diet-and-nutritional-lifestyle/ Not to be missed, amigos.
—PHEN (Prostate Health Education Network) will address issues relating to AS and Black men in a webinar, the 19th Annual “African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit” 1-3:30 p.m. Eastern Sept. 6. 2023. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/mu7ebh4d
Laughing your prostate off in the Gleason awards—deadline extended
By Howard Wolinsky
Submit your prostate jokes, cartoons, limericks, whatever—on DREs, PSAs, BPH, and prostatitis—to The Gleasons—Putting The Glee In Gleason Scores, the first prostate humor contest.
The contest, started by Jim-Bob Williams, a therapeutic humorist and Gleason 6 patient, and me, is open to doctors and patients alike. The deadline has been extended to Sept. 15 to help out some stragglers.
Share your prostate humor at howard.wolinsky@gmail.com Jokes, limericks, poems, whatever floats your boat. We do play blue so ED and Viagra jokes are in play.
A distinguished panel will announce the winners later in September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
(Sir Billy.)
In the professional division, AnCan Foundation has nominated Sir Billy Connolly’s over-the-top prostate exam bit: https://ancan.org/billy-connolly-prostate-examination/
Guaranteed that you’ll laugh your prostate—and ass—off.
Active Surveillance Patients International Sept. 30 webinar on lifestyle and low-risk PCa
By Howard Wolinsky
During September's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) sponsors a free webinar on lifestyle research and low-risk prostate cancer from 12-1:30 p.m. Eastern, Saturday Sept. 30.
Register here for “Applied Research and Lifestyles and Low-Risk Prostate Cancer," for: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvdOGoqjwuE9CC8AI45nYdsj63e-iUnop6
(Dr. Stacey Kenfield, on right, & Dr. June Chan, working out. Mario Sanchez UCSF.)
The program focuses on how men can take some control over their lifestyle, including eating, exercise, and exposure to known carcinogens. The program also will cover how mental health behavior may help the patient adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Please submit any questions ahead of the program to: contactus@aspatients.org.
The program includes:
—Dr. June Chan, of UCSF, on “The Role of Exercise for Deterring Prostate Cancer Progression/Death”;
—Dr. Stacey Kenfield, of UCSF, on “The Role of Diet for Men Living with Prostate Cancer”;
—Chan on “Lifestyle Scores & Prostate Cancer Progression”;
—UCSF dietitician Greta Macaire on “Practical Advice on Diet for Men Living with Prostate Cancer”;
(UCSF dietitian Greta Macaire)
—PA-C Christina Nakamoto, Medical Science Liaison for Urology at Myriad Genetics Inc., will cover cancer causes, such as carcinogens/diet/ hereditary, and mental health mindfulness for cancer.