Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with a five-year survival rate of 97%. As such, it is essential to develop new approaches to managing prostate cancer that balance disease control and quality of life. Dr. Christien Kluwe, a radiation oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, believes that the use of androgen deprivation therapy like testosterone blockers should be tailored according to individual patient needs.
Kluwe emphasized the importance of identifying patients who would benefit significantly from a decrease in testosterone levels and avoiding unnecessary treatments for those who may not derive significant benefits from such therapies. He also highlighted the potential benefits of using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a highly precise and powerful technique that delivers high doses of radiation in a shorter period.
With SBRT, healthy surrounding tissues are spared from damage by delivering tiny pellets the size of grains of rice directly to the cancer cells over a span of five days. This innovative approach has revolutionized the care of prostate cancer patients by offering a more efficient and effective method of managing the disease. The collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio aims to highlight scientific advancements in medicine that have the potential to improve patient outcomes.